Ida-Virumaa's road infrastructure and safety
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing.
Date: 2025-06-11 15:44
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The fourth question addressed the road infrastructure and traffic safety of Eastern Virumaa, focusing on the Narva–Jõhvi highway section. The question was posed by Aleksei Jevgrafov and requested the minister’s specific plan and timeline to transform this critical, winding, and narrow section into a four-lane highway or at least a 2+1 road, ensuring safety. In addition, attention was drawn to the speed limits on the Narva–Tallinn highway and the general funding of the road network, a long-term vision for improving road conditions, and the impact of Rail Baltic on funding. Regarding the local road maintenance plan and priorities, it was pointed out that the detailed plan and environmental impact assessment for the Haljala–Kukruse section will take time and extends into the 2030–2050 timeframe. Overall, both short- and long-term development, ways to ensure safety, and the allocation of resources at the republic level were discussed.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Aleksei Jevgrafov was the most active questioner, first raising the critical issue of road safety and development in Ida-Viru County, and then posing a clarifying question regarding speed limits. His questions were directed at critiquing the government’s priorities and the fulfillment of long-term promises.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar now introduces the fourth question, addressed to Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis and posed by Riigikogu member Aleksei Jevgrafov, the topic of which is the road infrastructure and safety of Ida-Viru County.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov is highlighting the extreme hazard posed by the approximately 45-kilometer stretch of winding, narrow, and heavily trafficked road on the Narva-Jõhvi highway in Ida-Virumaa. He is asking the Ministry of Climate for specific plans and a timeline for the construction of a four-lane or at least a 2+1 road, thereby ensuring definitive safety and finally delivering on the long-held hopes of the local residents.
Taristuminister Kuldar Leis
AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis stated that traffic safety in Ida-Viru County is better than the Estonian average (last year, three people died in the Ida-Viru region compared to 69 across Estonia), and the construction of 2+2 major roads is planned for the Tallinn–Narva, Tartu, and Pärnu–Ikla routes. The Pärnu–Ikla section is the most critical and least developed, and it will receive the largest share of investments aimed at improving safety. Next year, work will begin on a two-kilometer section near the Paia intersection on the Tartu route. 2+2 construction on the Narva route is not expected under the current funding decision, even though the Narva route has historically been better developed with 2+2 sections. The Haljala–Kukruse section (approximately 70 km) is currently undergoing state special planning and environmental impact assessment to allow construction to proceed, but the final completion deadline is set between 2030 and 2050. Regarding smaller roads, maintenance and repair in Ida-Viru are carried out according to the road maintenance plan, and all related information is publicly available on the Transport Administration's website.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked him and gave Aleksei Yevgrafov the opportunity to ask a clarifying question.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Yevgrafov invited the Minister of Infrastructure to travel to Ida-Viru County along the Narva–Jõhvi and Narva–Tallinn sections to assess road safety, discuss investments, and explore the possibility of raising the speed limit on four-lane sections. He also inquired about the obstacles currently facing Estonia and how to overcome them.
Taristuminister Kuldar Leis
AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis said that speeds are set according to standards (for example, 120 km/h on the Tallinn–Tartu section up to Mäo, and 110 km/h on the Tallinn–Kose section and when driving from Tallinn towards Narva), and within the framework of the new road safety program 2026–2035, they will address both increasing speeds and reducing speeds on dangerous sections, but the main priority is road quality and safety.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and announces that the supplementary question will be presented by his colleague, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart emphasizes that approximately 250 million euros per year is immediately needed to ensure the sustainability of the road network and infrastructure construction, noting that the 99.6 million allocated this year is significantly smaller. She points out that the condition of the roads is deteriorating, the repair debt has grown to 774 million euros, and the estimated need for the reconstruction of local roads is 3.6 billion. She then asks whether a larger budget than this year has been planned for next year and how much funding will be allocated parallel to Rail Baltic, in addition to the 70 million set aside for ordering trains.
Taristuminister Kuldar Leis
AI Summary
Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis stated that road maintenance and repair have been underfunded in recent years, but the trend is changing, and approximately 70 million euros will be added annually from the motor vehicle annual tax. It has been promised that this additional funding will be allocated to road financing every year and distributed across Estonia for maintenance, repair, the reconstruction of gravel roads, and paving. The preparation of the long-term road plan was discussed with Tarmo Trei, and we agreed to meet regularly. Funding for Rail Baltic will occur in phases and according to need, and this will not affect road financing. Furthermore, the procurement of passenger trains falls under the purview of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and is separate from the construction of the Rail Baltic route.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He/She offers thanks and concludes the consideration of today's fourth question.