Huge street renovations and the construction of a tramway to the harbor have overlapped. The reason is, among other things, Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which messed up the construction market and delayed some of the projects.
TALLINN The taxi driver stops next to ‘s photographer at the traffic lights near Viru Center in Tallinn. A window opens.
– Are you making a story about this? Tell me this is deep!
The man does not answer the questions, but angrily leaves the place.
The situation describes well the feelings of motorists from Tallinn this spring.
Almost all the most important roads in the core center are closed. Traffic is congested especially near the passenger port, but also elsewhere in the downtown area.
Some of the side streets are also very congested, especially in the mornings and evenings.
The end of school has made the situation a little easier. On the other hand, the tourist season is about to start.
In addition, between June and July, 25,000 young people arrive in Tallinn for a traditional dance and song party.
Deputy mayor responsible for traffic Vladimir Svet says he is aware of the plight of motorists.
– This summer and autumn are the worst time. The situation should ease towards the end of the year, Svet tells by phone.
According to Svet, the main reason for Tallinn’s traffic chaos is Russia’s attack on Ukraine. It messed up the construction market and delayed the extensive renovation of Jõe and Pronksi streets. It is the most important route from the port area to the highways leading to Pärnu and Tartu.
– Without the war, the work would already be finished or at least nearing completion, says the deputy mayor.
Now the streets have been closed since last October.
A large number of buses on detours
At the same time, the construction of the tramway up to Terminal A of the passenger port has cut off other central routes.
The bus service that normally departs from the ground floor of the popular Viru shopping center in the center is now detoured on the smaller streets of the center. That in turn blocks more areas.
Some of the tram lines are already stopped. At the end of summer, all tram traffic stops for a few months.
– We could not postpone the extension of the tram line. More than half of the EUR 46 million costs are EU money. That’s why you have to stick to the schedule, Svet regrets.
The third larger construction site is around Balti Jaam, i.e. Tallinn’s central railway station. There, North Tallinn is connected to the old town.
– The purpose of everything is to make Tallinn greener, to open new avenues for light traffic and public transport, says Vladimir Svet.
However, patience is required from motorists. All ongoing street works will not be completed until the end of 2024.
The deputy mayor has a request for Finns heading to Tallinn in the summer.
– If at all possible, come without a car!
Are you planning a summer trip to Tallinn and are your travel plans getting messed up because of street works? You can chat until 23:00 on May 7, 2023.