• Why was the current tram line route chosen?

The new tram line’s construction was preceded by a lengthy planning process during which every potential route was analysed from multiple angles. Research was also done in cooperation with Rail Baltica.

There were several possible options on how the new tram line could run. Every solution had and has its pros and cons, but the option we chose is the most optimal one from the angle of the development of tram transport. In some places, the tram would not fit into a narrow street as it does not have enough room to turn properly. In other places, an underground car park or a large collector sewer would block the construction of the line. The route currently being built has been approved by the Tallinn City Government and confirmed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and the European Commission.

• Why is the new tram not going to Terminal D?

This is sadly impossible due to several factors: it would mean the line would be at least a kilometre longer (depending on the route) and lead into a dead-end or require a much larger bridge over the Admiralty Basin. The latter would severely impede the traffic in the Basin during summer and this solution was therefore not suitable for the Port of Tallinn. At the same time, constructing a separate tram line that stops at Terminal D does not line up with the principle that the new tram line should effectively fit into the existing tram line network.

A big merit of the tram is convenience and the new line guarantees a connection not only with the airport but also with the port and the city centre. An important aspect of the new tram line is that it is not a dead-end but is joining an existing tram line network that creates more options to further develop tram transport towards Põhja-Tallinn.

• How will the people living near the construction zone get home?

Access is granted to every resident in the area. You must be cautious when passing through the construction zone, follow traffic control signs and instructions of the site staff and make sure that it is safe to pass by working mechanisms. Residents of the area will receive separate notifications with access schemes for the traffic control of every phase. The access signs may change as the construction progresses, so you must always be attentive to the temporary traffic signs.

• How will service staff be able to access businesses near the construction zone?

Operational vehicles and service transport (product carriers) will also have access to the establishments and buildings in the construction zone.

• Who can you quickly call if construction equipment is blocking your entrance or exit?

In this case, please call the site’s contact person at +372 5680 5499 (calls will be answered during working hours).

• When will the construction take place? Is the construction also planned for evenings/nights or weekends?

Construction will generally take place on weekdays from 8:00–17:00. No construction will take place on weekends or nights to ensure the local residents some peace. However, we cannot exclude the possibility of construction outside the aforementioned working hours if needed, for example for technological reasons.

• Will the construction make a lot of noise?

The contractor will perform their work in the most efficient way, to minimise the overall time cost of the project and to ensure as little disruption as possible to the daily lives of residents during construction. That includes making as little noise as possible, but with such a large project, some louder sounds are probably inevitable.

• Can you take a taxi to the buildings and/or businesses near the construction zone?

Access is available only to service staff. As the construction zone is closed to traffic and public transport (unless temporarily permitted in a specific situation), it is also closed to taxis.

• What should be taken into consideration when ordering a taxi to Viru Keskus, Tallink City Hotel or Postimaja Shopping Centre?

We recommend walking out of the construction zone to a street where traffic is open and ordering a taxi there. If it is necessary to order a taxi or to arrive by taxi to a building next to a construction site that is closed to normal traffic, then you must take into account the extra time the taxi will need to arrive and that access to the property might be longer than usual, depending on the location of the current construction.

• How will the construction change the urban space surrounding the new tram line route?

The entirety of the urban space surrounding the new tram line route will get a new look thanks to the new tram line. This will, for example, affect the intersection of Hobujaama Street and Kaubamaja, where an opportunity for pedestrians to cross the road above ground will be created. Similarly, new green areas will be established, additional greenery will be added, intersections will be made safer and more modern for all road users.

• How much greenery will be added with the construction?

With the new tram route’s construction, ca 164 trees and ca 2600 bushes will be planted, in addition to perennials and climbing plants in containers.

• Will a tram with a new number be going to the Port or will an existing tram line be redirected?

According to the current plan, a tram line through the port will start as tram no. 2.

• What changes in public transport will the construction cause?

The tram route construction will cause some changes in public transport, both in tram and bus transport. Information: transport.tallinn.ee. Passengers of public transport should definitely take into account that redirected lines may be late and walking distances between public transport stops in the city centre might be longer.

• Will trams be operating during the first week of school?

According to the current construction schedule, trams will not be operating during the first week of school.

• How was the construction introduced to the locals?

On 9 February 2023, a meeting with the local residents took place in the Nordic Hotel Forum, where representatives of the city of Tallinn and the project manager from Merko Ehitus presented a detailed schedule of the construction and its phases, the temporary traffic control and other important information related to the construction.

• How was cooperation with establishments and businesses?

On 17 February 2023, a meeting with the representatives of the establishments in the construction zone took place, where representatives of the city and the project manager from Merko Ehitus presented a detailed schedule of the construction and its phases, the temporary traffic control and other important information related to the construction.

Before this, the contractor worked together with representatives of every establishment and business by the construction zone to develop personalised solutions to ensure the temporary access needed for their work to continue. When the construction has reached a new phase and changes need to be made, they will be solved in the same way and new solutions will be agreed upon together.

• When will the new tram start operating?

The new tram will start operating in 2024. However, installing pavement on the road and sidewalks, traffic control equipment, bus shelters and other urban fixtures and greenery along the tram line route will continue until the beginning of 2025.