Tallinn plans to relocate tram stops on Pärnu Highway

Tallinn's city government has announced plans to reposition tram stops along Pärnu Highway in the Estonian capital. The proposal was discussed on Thursday, August 6, by deputy mayors Kristjan Järvan and Joël Jessé with representatives from the Estonian Union of Architects, who raised concerns about walking distances.

According to Jessé, the aim is to improve transfer possibilities between public transport lines and create more logical stop placements. One example is the "Kosmos" stop, which would move 100 meters closer to the intersection with Liivalaia Street. He argued that a 600-meter spacing between stops is optimal, meaning a passenger at the midpoint would walk about three minutes to the next stop. The Liivalaia intersection area is surrounded by four major educational institutions, he said, while the route to the French Lyceum would grow by 100 meters. The changes would also allow different types of public transport to use the same stop more conveniently.

Aet Ader, president of the Estonian Union of Architects, disagreed with the proposed spacing. She said European practice in city centers usually involves distances of 200 to 400 meters between stops. A distance above 600 meters, she argued, could discourage residents from using public transport, particularly older people, young children, and people with reduced mobility. Ader also said she would like to see more short-term stopping areas along the highway.

The discussion also covered potential changes to the road layout. Jessé suggested that moving from the current "2+2" lane arrangement to a "2+1" scheme could free space for short-term parking, but warned that cars, trams, and buses would then share a single lane. Any accident or disruption would be difficult to bypass because the road would have a central barrier. He noted there is already a parking house near the Rimi supermarket on Pärnu Highway.

Ader said the city has not presented alternatives to the two-lane design and called for more detailed planning. She proposed studying whether the 2+1 option could improve the public space, provide loading and stopping spots, add benches and greenery, and support local businesses. She also criticized the lack of spatial development experts involved in the project and said it was unclear who was responsible for landscape architecture.

Nevertheless, Ader described the overall project as a positive step that considers all road users. She noted that Pärnu Highway near Freedom Square will eventually be linked to the planned main street project (Peatänav), one of the capital's most important public spaces.

Jessé said design work will continue through this year and the next. Construction is expected to start at the end of 2027 and last about two years.