Saaremaa Tunnel Plan Clears Hurdle
The report on the strategic environmental impact assessment for a permanent link to Estonia's largest island has been approved and sent to the government.
In the report approved by the Environmental Board on September 23, experts opt for a tunnel over a bridge. But if the right measures are taken, neither, they said, would put too much stress on the environment, including the Natura 2000 areas.
The third option was to expand ferry traffic.
Currently Saare County is only reachable by ferry to Muhu island, which is linked by causeway to Saaremaa.
The environmental impact was assessed by a group of international experts, with WSP Finland OY taking lead duties.
The Environmental Board took into consideration opinions from international experts and weighed the input of various professional organizations, such as naturalist and environmental NGOs.
The Cabinet will now have to decide whether to approve the plan and which way of linking Saaremaa with the mainland - considered necessity from the standpoint of the economy and social affairs - will be pursued.
Kristopher Rikken