Estonia builds bypass to cut Russian 'Saatse boot' from highway

Estonia is building a new bypass road to avoid the 'Saatse boot', a stretch of highway that cuts into Russian territory. The project will cost 2 million euros and aims to reroute traffic entirely within Estonian borders. The 'Saatse boot' refers to an 800-metre section of the Vyarska-Ulitina highway that briefly enters Russia before looping back into Estonia’s Vyru district. To eliminate this detour, construction will begin by clearing 14 hectares of trees. Once the land is prepared, workers will build a new embankment for the bypass.

The entire project is expected to take six months. Authorities have allocated 2 million euros to fund the roadworks, ensuring the new route stays fully within Estonian land.

Upon completion, the bypass will remove the need for drivers to pass through Russian territory. The new road will provide a direct connection between Vyarska and Ulitina, improving travel efficiency in the region.