Highways in Estonia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Highways in Estonia are the main transport network in Estonia. The Estonian national classification includes several classes of highways:[1]

  • Main road (põhimaantee) – connects the capital with other large cities, connects large cities and the capital with major ports, railway junctions and border crossings.
  • Basic road (tugimaantee) – highway, that connects towns with other towns and main routes (literal translation: support highway).
  • Secondary road (kõrvalmaantee) – highway, that connects towns with boroughs, connects boroughs and villages and all of the previous with main- and support routes (literal translation: side highway)
Map of the Estonian national highway network

Other than these, the national road classification includes the following categories which may also be referred to as highways in a general sense, with decreasing order of priority (and applicability of the term highway):

  • National ice road (jäätee) - temporary road made on a frozen body of water for vehicles and pedestrians which has been added to the national road registry
  • Connecting road (ühendustee) – collectors, access roads, ramps or other similar roads constructed for traffic flow canalisation and providing safety on intersections/interchanges
  • Other (muu) – other roads in the national road registry

Main and support routes are designated with 1-2 digit numbers 1-99. Side routes are designated with 4-5 digit numbers, where the first two digits is a county code (11-25 for 15 counties), followed with three digits 101-999.

In addition to state highways, there are 23 882 km of local roads and around 48 999 km of private and forest roads. The total Estonian road network is 89 871 km long.[1]

Technical classification of highways in Estonia

Under earlier legislation, roads were classified according to traffic density into seven classes - "motorway" and classes I-VI to establish design standards (such as cross-section width). This classification was abolished in 2023.[2]

Main routes

Map of the Estonian main roads network (põhimaanteed)

The backbone of the Estonian national route system, national main routes (põhimaanteed) make up a network of 1603 kilometres of road, amounting to 10% of the total national road network. The traffic numbers however make up nearly 50% of the Estonian road network's traffic volumes. The highest AADT's are around Tallinn, on the T1 between Loo and Maardu, on the T2 between Tallinn and Jüri, and on the T4 between Laagri and Kanama (the highest AADT on Estonian national routes at 31,000). A main route is defined as a highway that connects the capital with other large cities or connects large cities and the capital with major ports, railway points and border crossings. Currently there are 12 separate main routes, which are marked with 1–2 white digits on a red shield. The speed limits on Estonian main routes are 110 or 120 on 2+2 sections and 90 on regular roads (on newer sections of road, these are adjusted according to conditions by electronic speed limit signs).

The main routes are the only roads with I class highways. The total amount is 234.6 kilometres, found on the T1, T2, T4 and T11. This number will enlarge significantly with further upgrades of the T4 in several sections between Ääsmäe and Pärnu, T2 Between Mäo and Tartu to I class highway. There are currently no motorways in Estonia, however 45,3 kilometres of the T2 is restricted-access I class highway. Ten main routes are a part of TEN-T, six routes are a part of the International E-road network. The routes E263, E67, E20, E264 and E265 run through Estonia.

The highways are maintained by the Estonian Road Administration outside city limits. Inside cities and towns, the roads are maintained by the city government.

List of main routes

More information Route, County ...
Route County Length Description Notes
T1 Harjumaa, Lääne-Virumaa, Ida-Virumaa 212.6 km (132.1 mi) The T1 starts at Viru Väljak in Tallinn. The road passes through Tallinn, intersects with the T11 at Väo and proceeds east towards Rakvere. The route then continues east towards Jõhvi, Sillamäe and Narva, finally terminating in Narva at the Russian border. I class highway for 88 kilometres[3] in two separate sections.
T2 Harjumaa, Järvamaa, Jõgevamaa, Tartumaa, Põlvamaa, Võrumaa 287.8 km (178.8 mi) The T2 starts at Ülemiste in Tallinn. The road passes through Tallinn and proceeds south-east towards Jüri. Here the road intersects with the T11. The route then continues southeast towards Tartu, Võru and Luhamaa, finally terminating in Luhamaa at the T7. I class highway for 91 kilometres[4] in two separate sections. Several exist 2+1 sections, totaling 22 kilometres.
T3 Ida-Virumaa, Jõgevamaa, Tartumaa, Valgamaa 219.6 km (136.5 mi) The T3 starts at the T1 interchange in Jõhvi. The road passes through Jõhvi and proceeds southwest through Ahtme and towards Tartu. After Tartu the route continues southwest towards Elva and Valga, finally terminating in Valga at the Latvian border.
T4 Harjumaa, Raplamaa, Pärnumaa 192.3 km (119.5 mi) The T4 starts at Viru Väljak in Tallinn. The road passes through Tallinn and proceeds south towards Pärnu. The route then continues south towards Märjamaa and Pärnu, finally terminating in Ikla at the Latvian border. I class highway for 22 kilometres[5] in 2 separate sections. Two 2+1 sections exist totaling 15.1 km
T5 Lääne-Virumaa, Järvamaa, Pärnumaa 184.6 km (114.7 mi) The T5 starts at the intersection with the T4 in Pärnu. The road proceeds northeast towards Paide. After intersecting with the T2 at Mäo, the route then continues northeast towards Tapa and Rakvere, finally terminating in Sõmeru at the T1.
T6 Pärnumaa, Viljandimaa, Valgamaa 124.8 km (77.5 mi) The T6 starts at the Latvian border in Valga. The road passes through Valga and proceeds northwest towards Tõrva. After Tõrva the route continues northwest towards Uulu finally terminating in Uulu at the T4.
T7 Võrumaa 22 km (14 mi) The T7 starts at Misso at the Latvian border. The road shortly after passes through Misso and proceeds east towards Luhamaa. The route then intersects with the T2 and continues east towards the Russian border. Shortest highway in Estonia.
T8 Harjumaa 47.2 km (29.3 mi) The T8 starts at Tallinn. The road passes through Tallinn, intersects with the T11 at Keila and proceeds west towards Paldiski. The route then terminates at Paldiski.
T9 Harjumaa, Läänemaa 80.5 km (50.0 mi) The T9 starts at the interchange with the T4 in Ääsmäe. The road proceeds southwest towards Haapsalu. After intersecting with the T10 in Risti, the route continues west towards Haapsalu, finally terminating in Rohuküla port.
T10 Harjumaa, Läänemaa, Saaremaa 143.7 km (89.3 mi) The T10 starts at the intersection with the T9 at Risti. The road proceeds southwest towards Virtsu port. The route includes a ferry crossing to Muhu island (Kuivastu port), shortly after crossing to Saaremaa via the Väinatamm causeway, after which it continues southwest towards Kuressaare, terminating there. Only national route to include a ferry crossing.
T11 Harjumaa 38.1 km (23.7 mi) The T11 is Tallinn's ring road. The T11 starts at the intersection with the T1 at Väo. The road passes by Jüri, intersecting with the T2, by Luige, intersecting with the 15, by Saue, intersecting with the T4 and finally terminating at Keila, when intersecting with the T8. I class highway for 33.6 kilometres. Yet to be built to I class standards between Vanamõisa and Keila.
T92 Tartumaa, Viljandimaa, Pärnumaa 122.8 km (76.3 mi) The T92 starts at the intersection with the T2 at Tartu. The road proceeds west towards Viljandi. After going through Viljandi, the route then continues west towards Kilingi-Nõmme, finally terminating in Väljaküla at the T6.
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Support routes

Map of the Estonian basic roads network (tugimaanteed)

Support routes (tugimaanteed) are the second highest classification in the Estonian national route system. They make up a network of 2,405 kilometres of road, amounting to 15% of the total road network. A support route is defined as a highway, that connects towns with other towns and main routes. Currently there are 77 separate support routes. The support routes are marked with 2 black digits on a yellow shield.

List of support routes

More information Route, Control city ...
Route Control city Intermediate point(s) Control city Length
T12 KoseJägala 36.1 km (22.4 mi)
T13 JägalaKäravete 52.7 km (32.7 mi)
T14 KosePurila 39.1 km (24.3 mi)
T15 TallinnRaplaTüri 97.2 km (60.4 mi)
T17 KeilaHaapsalu 68.8 km (42.8 mi)
T18 NiitväljaKulna 4.7 km (2.9 mi)
T20 PõdruseKundaPada 28.3 km (17.6 mi)
T21 RakvereLuige 69.6 km (43.2 mi)
T22 RakvereVäike-MaarjaVägeva 52.0 km (32.3 mi)
T23 RakvereHaljala 8.3 km (5.2 mi)
T24 TapaLoobu 26.0 km (16.2 mi)
T25 MäekülaKoeruKapu 25.3 km (15.7 mi)
T26 TüriArkma 21.2 km (13.2 mi)
T27 RaplaJärvakandiKergu 40.8 km (25.4 mi)
T28 RaplaMärjamaa 21.6 km (13.4 mi)
T29 MärjamaaKoluvere 25.1 km (15.6 mi)
T31 HaapsaluLaiküla 36.0 km (22.4 mi)
T32 JõhviVasknarva 49.9 km (31.0 mi)
T33 JõhviKose 3.6 km (2.2 mi)
T34 VarjaKiviõli 8.7 km (5.4 mi)
T35 IisakuTudulinnaAvinurme 33.5 km (20.8 mi)
T36 JõgevaMustvee 38.9 km (24.2 mi)
T37 JõgevaPõltsamaa 26.1 km (16.2 mi)
T38 PõltsamaaVõhma 27.6 km (17.1 mi)
T39 TartuJõgevaAravete 108.0 km (67.1 mi)
T40 TartuTiksoja 7.0 km (4.3 mi)
T41 KärevereKärkna 12.9 km (8.0 mi)
T42 KärknaKobratu 7.1 km (4.4 mi)
T43 AovereKallasteKasepää 57.0 km (35.4 mi)
T44 AovereLuunja 11.4 km (7.1 mi)
T45 TartuRäpinaVärska 85.5 km (53.1 mi)
T46 TatraOtepääSangaste 46.6 km (29.0 mi)
T47 SanglaRõngu 22.4 km (13.9 mi)
T49 ImavereViljandiKarksi-Nuia 82.1 km (51.0 mi)
T50 AinduViljandi 4.4 km (2.7 mi)
T51 ViljandiPõltsamaa 43.4 km (27.0 mi)
T52 ViljandiRõngu 61.1 km (38.0 mi)
T53 OjaperveViiratsi 3.6 km (2.2 mi)
T54 Karksi-NuiaLilliborder with Latvia 17.0 km (10.6 mi)
T55 KamaraMõisakülaborder with Latvia (also known as Mõisaküla road) 4.4 km (2.7 mi)
T57 MudisteSuure-JaaniVändra 42.8 km (26.6 mi)
T58 AlusteKergu 12.2 km (7.6 mi)
T59 PärnuTori 23.5 km (14.6 mi)
T60 PärnuLihula 56.1 km (34.9 mi)
T61 PõlvaReola 37.1 km (23.1 mi)
T62 KanepiLeevaku 41.8 km (26.0 mi)
T63 KarisillaKoidula border checkpoint with RussiaPetseri (Печоры) 17.8 km (11.1 mi)
T64 VõruPõlva 24.7 km (15.3 mi)
T65 VõruRäpina 44.0 km (27.3 mi)
T66 VõruVerijärve 6.5 km (4.0 mi)
T67 VõruMõnisteValga 83.3 km (51.8 mi)
T68 Mõnisteborder with LatviaApe 8.9 km (5.5 mi)
T69 VõruKuigastiTõrva 71.3 km (44.3 mi)
T70 AntslaVaabina 6.9 km (4.3 mi)
T71 RõnguOtepääKanepi 39.3 km (24.4 mi)
T72 SangasteTõlliste 16.6 km (10.3 mi)
T73 TõrvaPikasilla 12.0 km (7.5 mi)
T75 TumalaOrissaareVäinatamm causeway 8.3 km (5.2 mi)
T76 Kuressaare ring road 13.5 km (8.4 mi)
T77 KuressaareSääre 47.4 km (29.5 mi)
T78 KuressaareKihelkonnaVeere 47.8 km (29.7 mi)
T79 UpaLeisi 36.8 km (22.9 mi)
T80 Heltermaa portKärdlaLuidja 50.2 km (31.2 mi)
T81 KärdlaKäina 21.7 km (13.5 mi)
T82 Lehtma port (also known as Lehtma port road) 7.0 km (4.3 mi)
T83 SuuremõisaKäinaEmmaste 31.2 km (19.4 mi)
T84 EmmasteLuidja 29.9 km (18.6 mi)
T85 LiiapeksiLoksa 15.5 km (9.6 mi)
T86 KuressaareVõhmaPanga 36.8 km (22.9 mi)
T87 Põlva ring road 6.0 km (3.7 mi)
T88 RakvereRannapungerja 70.8 km (44.0 mi)
T89 PõlvaSaverna 20.4 km (12.7 mi)
T90 PõlvaKarisilla 34.2 km (21.3 mi)
T91 NarvaNarva-JõesuuHiiemetsa 26.3 km (16.3 mi)
T93 Kohtla-JärveKukruseTammiku 15.6 km (9.7 mi)
T94 LiivamäeMuuga container port (also known as Muuga port road) 3.4 km (2.1 mi)
T95 KõrvekülaTartu 1.9 km (1.2 mi)
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Secondary routes

Secondary roads make up the vast majority of Estonia's road network and form the backbone of rural transport. There are a total of 1785 secondary roads in the registry, the shortest of them 70 metres and the longest 76,8 kilometres long. The county codes used in the numbering system are as follows:

More information County, Digits ...
CountyDigits
Harjumaa11xxx
Hiiumaa12xxx
Ida-Virumaa13xxx
Jõgevamaa14xxx
Järvamaa15xxx
Läänemaa16xxx
Lääne-Virumaa17xxx
Põlvamaa18xxx
Pärnumaa19xxx
Raplamaa20xxx
Saaremaa21xxx
Tartumaa22xxx
Valgamaa23xxx
Viljandimaa24xxx
Võrumaa25xxx
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European routes

Map of the Estonian E-roads network

Estonia is a part of the UNECE, and therefore also has numerous E-roads running through it. The E-roads in Estonia form a network on top of the main routes and are usually signposted on all signs. They make up a network of 994 kilometres (618 miles) of road. Currently there are six separate European routes in Estonia.

List of European routes

More information Route, Estonian route ...
Route Estonian route Control cities Length
E20 T1 Tallinn, Narva 212.6 km (132.1 mi)
E67 T4 Tallinn, Pärnu, Ikla 192.3 km (119.5 mi)
E77 T7 Luhamaa border checkpoint, Misso border crossing 22.0 km (13.7 mi)
E263 T2 Tallinn, Tartu, Võru, Luhamaa 287.8 km (178.8 mi)
E264 T3 Jõhvi, Tartu, Valga 219.6 km (136.5 mi)
E265 T8 / T11 Tallinn ring road, Paldiski 60.4 km (37.5 mi)
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Former (historical) roads

  • Piibe road

See also

References

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