Traffic ’chaos’ warning issued for Tallinn

Estonia's capital Tallinn should expect traffic 'chaos' next week after all tram transport closes for three weeks due to road construction work.

Road construction work will take place for three weeks (August 4 to 22) as part of plans to install new modern trams in the city.

However, officials warn the road works will have consequences on rush hour commuters in the capital, Postimees Online reports. 

Tallinn transport board traffic department manager Talvo Rüütelmaa warned the biggest change starting Monday concerned traffic of heavy vehicles to the Port of Tallinn.

In addition to changes in traffic flows, trucks are not allowed to leave the port from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"Between 4 and 7 p.m. several ships arrive in the port and every ship brings here around 100 heavy vehicles. There will be traffic regulators in the port at that time who generally will not allow the trucks to leave the port territory," said Rüütelmaa, adding that if traffic burden is smaller, some trucks will be allowed to leave every 5 or 15 minutes.

"While the truck traffic usually decreases in July-August, because there are vacations everywhere in Europe, now, monitoring data shows a marked increase in the number of vehicles instead. Anyway, we try and inform all transport companies via the Port of Tallinn and shipping companies about the restrictions," he said.

The extensive renovation works are the prerequisite for starting to use new modern trams produced by Spanish company CAF on tram routes three and four in the city. Future plans include extending tram lines to Tallinn airport and Tallinn port.

The city will receive its first new modern tram at the end of this year and in 2015 and 2016 A total of 19 more new generation trams will be installed in the city under plans.