Major road closures to impede traffic in Tallinn city center this summer
Commuting by car in the Tallinn city center is more complicated as of today, with major road works on Narva Maantee set to disrupt traffic throughout the summer. July will prove most difficult for those using public transportation, with all tram lines facing a month-long closure.
Due to the installation of an underground high-voltage cable, Narva Maantee will be closed off for cars on the stretch between Laikmaa and Pronksi streets as of Monday.
Planned large-scale roadworks in Tallinn may cause travel delays of up to 40 minutes over the course of the summer.
As of today, cars are no longer able to make their way from the Viru Shopping Center towards Pirita on Narva Maantee. The road is closed off from Pronksi Street to Laikmaa Street in the direction exiting the city.
In a week's time, the situation is set to worsen for those commuting by car, with June 1 seeing further closures of the said road from the Viru Shopping Center to the Methodist Church near Tuukri Street, also affecting those entering the city. The only way through in both directions will be via public transportation.
"It's definitely going to get cramped. At this time, we ask those commuting by car to make use of public transportation when possible. One should definitely consider 20 to 40-minute travel delays regardless of the time of day," said Talvo Rüütelmaa of Tallinn City Transport Department.
Rüütelmaa added that those living in Pirita or Viimsi should be prepared to face congestion when commuting to work in the mornings.
A further section of Narva Maantee stretching from the Methodist Church until Weizenbergi Street (up to the Kadriorg Park) will face months of closure from mid-July onward.
According to Rüütelmaa, those living in the affected region of Kadriorg may no longer be able to reach their homes by car as conveniently as before or after the construction period.
Around St John's Day on June 24, roadworks are also set to impede traffic on Tammsaare Street, with traffic disrupted from the Järvevana railway overpass until Tondi Street due to construction works. One lane will remain open for car traffic in both directions.
For those commuting by public transportation, July will prove the most difficult, with all tram lines facing closures for a month-long period from July 1 onwards. According to Toivo Hallikmäe of the Tallinn City Transport Department, the Viru roundabout is set for tram track switches as of July 1, closing all tram lines. "The temporary bus line 42 will be extended to Kopli," he said.
Editor: A. Kaer