From Monday, November 4, the Kanama viaduct on the Tallinn ring road will be closed to traffic for reconstruction work, and this will result in additional time for road users on the Tallinn-Pärnu road and the Tallinn ring road.
Traffic lights will regulate traffic on the Tallinn–Pärnu highway and the Tallinn Ring Road, and the temporary traffic regulation will remain in effect until the spring of next year.
During the complete reconstruction works of the Kanama viaduct of the Tallinn–Pärnu–Ikla highway and the surrounding area, the traffic over the viaduct will be closed, and the traffic of the Tallinn ring road will be able to cross the Tallinn–Pärnu highway using temporary traffic lights. A speed limit of 50 km/h will be established within the entire construction site.
“The current viaduct is decades old and depreciated, which is why it is no longer safe and does not meet modern requirements. Demolishing the old viaduct and building a new one will help improve traffic safety and create an opportunity for military transport, heavy trucks and special cargo to use the viaduct instead of the existing side roads, thus making movement more convenient and smoother,” said Viktor Kisseljov, head of the Northern Department of the Transport Board.
“We are dealing with an area with heavy traffic, and when planning temporary detours, we have tried to ensure the most convenient solutions and the least additional time spent on road users,” explained Lauri Kanarbik, project manager of GRK Eesti AS, which is performing the reconstruction work. “Road users on the Tallinn-Pärnu highway must take into account two traffic lights, one before and one after the viaduct. Drivers who want to turn left in the direction of the Tallinn Ring Road when coming from Tallinn, must make a U-turn on the highway. There is a longer additional road on the ring road for those driving from Keila towards Tallinn, who cannot turn left onto the highway, and they will be directed to the Juuliku viaduct.”
Detours in all directions and a more detailed traffic diagram can be seen in the explanatory animation, which can be viewed HERE. Additional information can be found on the Tark Tee portal.
The temporary traffic regulation will remain in effect until May next year. Additional traffic restrictions and complete traffic suspensions will only be in place for a short time during the viaduct demolition work in mid-November.
The new Kanama viaduct ensures the load capacity required for the transport of defense equipment or special cargo. The ramps at the Kanama junction will be moved away from the Tallinn-Pärnu road, this will allow the speed of movement on the main road to be increased and the dangerous crossings that were forced to be made by those moving on and off the ramps until now. With the elimination of the Rahula U-turn and the construction of the collector road, the traffic-dangerous Rahula U-turn will be closed.
Construction works are performed by GRK Eesti AS. Owner supervision is carried out by OÜ Toomtsentrum and OÜ Teehoiu Partners.
The cost of the works is 13.8 million euros, plus VAT. The investment is co-financed by the European Cohesion Fund (CEF) in the amount of 5.05 million euros through the military mobility project EstMilMob, which aims to improve the transport connections to the Tapa settlement over the next three years.
The newly built overpass is planned to open at the beginning of summer, the completion date of all works is the end of September 2025.
2024-10-28 09:38:00
#repair #Kanama #viaduct #disrupts #traffic #TallinnPärnu #highway
**Interview with Viktor Kisseljov and Lauri Kanarbik on the Kanama Viaduct Reconstruction**
**Editor:** Thank you both for joining us today. Viktor, can you start by explaining why the Kanama viaduct on the Tallinn-Pärnu highway needs reconstruction now?
**Viktor Kisseljov:** Certainly. The Kanama viaduct is several decades old and has deteriorated significantly over the years. It no longer meets modern safety standards. By demolishing the old structure and constructing a new one, we aim to enhance traffic safety and provide better accommodations for military transport and heavy trucks. This will facilitate smoother movement along the highway, mitigating the need for current alternative routes.
**Editor:** Lauri, can you describe what road users can expect during the reconstruction period?
**Lauri Kanarbik:** Of course. From November 4, the viaduct will be closed to traffic, and we will implement temporary traffic regulations using traffic lights on the highway and the Tallinn Ring Road. This setup will remain until spring of next year. Road users should expect to navigate through two traffic lights, and drivers turning left onto the ring road will need to make a U-turn on the highway, which could add some travel time.
**Editor:** Viktor, safety is a significant concern during such projects. What measures are being taken to ensure the safety of both road users and construction workers?
**Viktor Kisseljov:** Safety is our top priority. We are establishing a speed limit of 50 km/h throughout the construction site to protect everyone involved. Additionally, we have worked closely with our traffic planning team to design temporary traffic arrangements that minimize risks and ensure smooth transitions for vehicles.
**Editor:** Lauri, with heavy traffic expected during this period, how have you planned to minimize disruptions for daily commuters?
**Lauri Kanarbik:** We understand the impact this may have on daily commuters. Our team has closely analyzed traffic flow to devise the least disruptive detours possible. While there will be extra time required for travel, we are committed to making this as convenient as we can. Road users should plan for potential delays due to the traffic lights but we believe these measures will ultimately enhance the overall traffic experience once the reconstruction is complete.
**Editor:** Thank you, Viktor and Lauri, for sharing this important information. We appreciate your efforts to improve our infrastructure while keeping public safety a priority.
**Viktor Kisseljov:** Thank you for having us.
**Lauri Kanarbik:** Thank you!
**Editor:** Thank you both for joining us today. Viktor, can you start by explaining why the Kanama viaduct on the Tallinn-Pärnu highway needs reconstruction now?
**Viktor Kisseljov:** Certainly. The Kanama viaduct is several decades old and has deteriorated significantly over the years. It no longer meets modern safety standards. By demolishing the old structure and constructing a new one, we aim to enhance traffic safety and provide better accommodations for military transport and heavy trucks. This will facilitate smoother movement along the highway, mitigating the need for current alternative routes.
**Editor:** Lauri, can you describe what road users can expect during the reconstruction period?
**Lauri Kanarbik:** Of course. From November 4, the viaduct will be closed to traffic, and we will implement temporary traffic regulations using traffic lights on the highway and the Tallinn Ring Road. This setup will remain until spring of next year. Road users should be prepared for additional travel time due to two traffic lights before and after the viaduct. Those turning left onto the Tallinn Ring Road from the highway will need to make a U-turn. We’ve planned the temporary detours to minimize inconvenience as much as possible.
**Editor:** Viktor, how long will these traffic disruptions last, and what measures are in place to manage heavy traffic in the area?
**Viktor Kisseljov:** The temporary traffic regulations will be in effect until May next year, with some short-term complete traffic suspensionsduring the viaduct demolition in mid-November. We have carefully planned traffic management measures, including speed limits and clearly marked detours. Our goal is to ensure that both motorists and local residents can navigate the area safely and efficiently during this period.
**Editor:** Lauri, can you tell us about the expected completion timeline for the new viaduct?
**Lauri Kanarbik:** Yes, the new Kanama viaduct is slated to be completed and opened by the beginning of summer next year. The overall project, including all associated works, is expected to be finished by September 2025. This timeline will ensure that we can fully address traffic concerns while enhancing the overall infrastructure.
**Editor:** Thank you both for this valuable information. It’s clear that these improvements will greatly enhance safety and efficiency for motorists in the region. We appreciate your insights today!
