Tramline to Tallinn's Old Harbor to be completed in 2023
Tallinn City Government has said the tramline to the Old Harbor should be completed by 2023 and announced the design procurement which will be the basis for the connection between the port, future Rail Baltic terminal and the airport.
The design of the Old Harbor tramline will take place in 2021 and construction work will start in 2022. The initial schedule states the construction work will be completed at the end of 2023.
The construction is estimated to cost between €15-20 million and will be jointly funded by Rail Baltic, Tallinn and the state.
You can watch a video HERE which shows the route the new tramline will take.
Tallinn Mayor Mihhail Kõlvart (Center) said on Wednesday the Old Harbor tram line is part of a larger plan.
"The development of environmentally friendly public transport is existential and the additional line brings added value. We have even bigger plans. The tram line should connect Tallinn with neighboring municipalities and this is one of the first stages of this large project," said Kõlvart.
Tõnu Grünberg, head of Rail Baltic Estonia, said the new tram line is part of the Rail Baltic project and the tram will be able to be be used between the Old Harbor and Ülemiste for several years before the completion of Rail Baltic in 2026.
The area will become an important transport hub for Tallinn as buses, trains and trams will all meet at the station, Grünberg said.
He said the Rail Baltic project has an accelerated schedule until 2022 in order to stay on schedule. The necessary facilities - viaducts, eco-products - will cost €122 million and will be built before the railway is built.
"Despite claims to the contrary, we are on schedule... The work is underway and I am confident that we can stay on schedule if European Union funding is as promised." said Grünberg.
The tram route between the Old Harbor and Ülemiste passenger terminal, which will be completed by 2023, must be planned as a priority over other traffic developments, the rules of the procurement state.
The designers must prepare a design, traffic study and carry out modelling to determine the performance of the tramway and the appropriate balance between all groups of road users. Trams must take priority.
--
Download the ERR News app for Android and iOS now and never miss an update!
Editor: Helen Wright
