Major €3M highway reconstruction closes key Ida-Viru route for six weeks

A nearly four-kilometre stretch of Kiviõli-Varja Highway has closed for major reconstruction. The project, costing nearly €3 million, marks the largest roadwork in the Ida-Viru region this year. Drivers and bus services are now following a detoured route while repairs take place. The closure began after a bus veered off the highway late last month, an incident possibly linked to the road’s poor condition. The damaged section connects Kiviõli to the Tallinn-Narva Highway and has handled heavy traffic for years.

The reconstruction will fully resurface the road and is expected to last six weeks. Officials plan to reopen the route by June 12. Meanwhile, local buses have been rerouted, with only minor delays reported.

Heiki Luts, director of the Ida-Viru Public Transport Center (IVÜTK), confirmed the detour is operating smoothly. Contractors also noted that the new route has improved safety and reduced disruptions. Nearby, drivers on the Tallinn-Narva Highway will face roadwork and lower speed limits at the Kiviõli junction. The €3 million project aims to restore the highway’s surface and improve long-term safety. Until the June 12 reopening, buses and motorists will continue using the detour. Authorities have assured the public that travel delays remain minimal.