Tallinn's roadworks chaos: Months of traffic delays ahead for drivers

Tallinn is bracing for months of traffic delays as major roadworks kick off across the city. Several key transport projects, including the Hipodroomi intersection and Peterburi Road, will disrupt travel well into next year.

Work at the Hipodroomi intersection began this week, already causing heavy congestion. The project, set to last up to 18 months, will add an extra lane for public transport and new parking spaces.

The first phase of Peterburi Road’s reconstruction is due to finish in November. Later stages will tackle a tricky section near Iru, where the road sits on old concrete slabs. Meanwhile, the long-awaited tram link to Tallinn Airport is nearly complete. Services are expected to resume in July after years of delays. Elsewhere, only a short 700-metre stretch of Liivalaia Street—between Lembitu and Vana-Veerenni—will be resurfaced this summer. Unlike other projects, this section won’t include tram track upgrades. Plans for the Kristiine transport hub are moving forward, with design work set to begin soon. However, the full reconstruction of the Kristiine intersection itself won’t start until 2028 or 2029, promising more disruption in the future. The Endla Street tunnel, originally slated for construction this year, has been pushed back to at least 2025. Disputes with rail operator Elron over the project have caused the delay.

Drivers and commuters in Tallinn will face ongoing disruptions through spring, summer, and beyond. With projects like Hipodroomi and Peterburi Road stretching into 2025—and Kristiine’s overhaul still years away—traffic delays are set to remain a daily challenge for residents and visitors alike.