Planned Old City Harbor tram to be given right of way

According to project conditions, a traffic priority system must be worked out for a new tram line to be built between Old City Harbor and Ülemiste Terminal by 2023.
According to public procurement documents approved by Tallinn city government on Wednesday, the winner of the procurement must plan as fast a public transport link as possible, using optimal traffic signal systems or a system prioritizing public transport traffic.
Planning conditions for the new tram call for a traffic survey and modeling to be completed as well as for traffic solutions, including appropriate balance between different road user groups, to be determined, giving trams priority.
The width of the tram corridor must be planned throughout the length of the route so as to allow buses to travel on it as well. Entrances and exits to Viru Center and the bus terminal located below it must also be retained along Laikmaa Street.
Set conditions will also apply to the port and Linnahall areas along the route as well.
The tram stop by Old City Harbor should be located as close as possible to the planned pedestrian bridge so that it best serves the Port of Tallinn's A- and D-Terminals. At the same time, the tram route must be kept as short as possible in order to reduce travel time between Ülemiste Terminal and the city center as much as possible.
A tram stop must also be planned in as convenient a location as possible in connection with Linnahall.
Bus stop shelters need to be planned to accommodate more waiting passengers than usual as well as offer comfortable services; examples included a bigger roof, seating and smart device charging stations.
The tram line will travel along the following route: Ülemiste, Tartu Highway, Kivisilla Street, Gonsiori Street, Laikmaa Street, Narva Highway, Hobujaama Street, Ahtri Street, Laeva Street, Kuunari Street, Kai Street, Logi Street, Rumbi Street and Põhja Avenue. The tram line will thereafter link up with the existing route at Mere Avenue.
Planning for the new tram line is to begin next year, with construction to follow in 2022-2023.
"If everything goes according to plan, work should be completed in December 2023, which is also when the tram line will be opened for use," Tallinn Deputy Mayor Andrei Novikov told ERR in April.
According to initial estimates, construction of the new tram line may cost some €15-20 million, to be financed primarily by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and Rail Baltic.
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Editor: Aili Vahtla