On Monday, 3 July, work will begin on a new Tondi railway crossing, which, when completed by the end of 2024, will include a new underpass allowing safer passage for both pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles.

In order to make it safe to cross the railway, the existing Tondi Street railway crossing will be rebuilt as part of the reconstruction works. A new underpass will be built in place of the existing above ground crossing, in addition to new safer pedestrian crossings as well as new ramps and stairs to allow easier access to the railway platform. The construction works will however affect the entire city space. A 300-metre stretch of Tondi Street will be reconstructed as well as a part of the Kotka Street road between Tondi and Tedre streets. Additionally, new underground technological networks will be constructed and ones upgraded. LED streetlights and special lighting for crossings will also be installed.
 
The city space is being supplemented with 57 deciduous trees, 144 coniferous and 3406 deciduous shrubs, 378 park roses, 380 climbing plants and 1165 perennial flowers and nearly 700 square metres of flower meadow will be established. The better part of existing plant life will be preserved, but six trees will be replanted, and 12 dried up, diseased or hazardous trees will be removed, in addition to 10 trees in bad condition which would not survive replanting.
 
According to Deputy Mayor Vladimir Svet, traffic involving all kinds of road users, primarily pedestrians and light traffic, will be made safer. “Likewise, the area of the city surrounding the construction site will see renewal and newly added greenery.” “These reconstruction works present a complex and time intensive challenge, which unfortunately will mean some discomfort and disturbance to the daily life of a great deal of city residents and their commute, but for the sake of ensuring the public’s safety, they must be undertaken,” said Svet.
 
As a result of construction works, the Tondi crossing will be closed to traffic starting from 3 July. Passage is open to pedestrians and cyclists for the duration of construction works (scheme 1). Depending on the nature of the works, temporary disruptions to rail traffic may also occur, primarily during weekends. According to the current schedule, the first three rail traffic closures will take place on three weekends in July.
 
Leonhard Weiss OÜ Engineering and Construction Division Director Aleksei Dohin says that the schedule and action plan has been composed keeping in mind the peculiarities of the technological process and that the contractor will do the best they can to stay on schedule, disturbing the daily life of all city residents as little as possible. “We must, however, take into account that certain work, primarily work related to the restructuring of the railway crossing and contact line, which incurs short-term interruptions to rail traffic, can only be carried out at night or in the evening. We ask for patience and apologise for any inconvenience,” said Dohin.
 
During the first phase of construction, in addition to the railway crossing, traffic is also suspended on Kotka Street, on the road section between the crossing and Kotka 22. One lane will remain open on the aforementioned section of road for public transport, operational vehicles and local residents.
 
According to Kristiine District Mayor Jaanus Riibe, the construction of the Tondi multi-level railway crossing is one of the most long-awaited and important projects of this year, as the traffic junction is used daily by thousands of people. “The Tondi area is subject to rapid development with a great deal of residential and commercial buildings under construction, in addition to the recently rebuilt Tondi School. Now the time has come for a multi-level crossing. On the 30 March last year, we introduced the initial project to local residents as part of a public meeting, after which we have adjusted the project in response to feedback received. In summary, the traffic in the area will become safer for everyone, especially pedestrians and cyclists, as cars will now cross the railway via an underpass,” said Riibe.
 
There will be no changes to bus line No. 23 resulting from construction works; however, bus line No. 28 will be subject to detours in both directions: Through Pärnu maantee, Tammsaare tee and Tondi tänav (scheme 2). Motor vehicles will detour via Pärnu maantee, Tammsaare tee, Tondi tänav, Linnu tee and Nõmme tee (scheme 3).
 
Tondi crossing construction works are carried out by Leonhard Weiss OÜ. The total cost of the project is 8.8 million euros, including value added tax.
 
Additional information about the Tondi railway crossing construction works and traffic regulations can be found online at tallinn.ee/tondi. Changes to public transport routes and timetables can be checked at https://transport.tallinn.ee/.