Ironman race to close roads and reroute buses in Tallinn

Road and public transport restrictions will affect Tallinn and nearby Harju County on Saturday and Sunday because of the Ironman triathlon, ERR reported. The changes will mainly affect the Haabersti and North Tallinn districts, with parking and car traffic restricted and several bus routes diverted.

From the morning of Saturday, August 22, until 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, bus routes 8, 21, 25, 26, 41, 42 and 54 will be diverted.

Routes 27, 36 and 61 will be diverted from the morning of August 22 until 8 p.m. that day and from the morning of August 23 until 5 p.m. A temporary bus route, number 77, will operate between Oja tee and Harkujärve stops during the same periods.

Bus route 62 will not operate from the morning of August 22 until 8 p.m. and from the morning of August 23 until 5 p.m. Route 57 will be diverted from the morning of August 22 until 12:30 p.m. and from the morning of August 23 until 12:45 p.m.

On Saturday, Viljandi maantee will be closed between Valdeku Street and the Kangru interchange from 5 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Paldiski maantee will be closed between Tuuleveski Street and Tutermaa from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Because of the running course, the right-hand lane of Paldiski maantee in the direction out of the city will remain closed between Vesiravila and Mõisapõllu streets until 2:30 a.m. on August 22. The junctions of Paldiski maantee with Vabaõhumuuseumi tee, Mõisa Street and Mõisapõllu Street will also be closed until 7:45 p.m. on August 23.

On Sunday, the Viljandi maantee section between Valdeku Street and the Kangru interchange will be closed from 6:50 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. Paldiski maantee between Tuuleveski Street and Tutermaa will be closed from 8:35 a.m. to 4:35 p.m. The right-hand lane of Paldiski maantee out of the city between Vesiravila and Mõisapõllu streets will remain closed until 7:45 p.m.

Licensed traffic controllers will manage traffic along the cycling and running courses. Residents, emergency vehicles and transport belonging to local institutions will be allowed through based on the controllers’ assessment and instructions.

Pedestrians may also have to wait to cross the courses. Organisers said all residents would be able to travel to and from their homes, but asked people to allow for possible delays of up to 30 minutes and follow the traffic controllers’ signals.

Traffic will reopen immediately after the last competitor has passed and temporary traffic control equipment has been removed. The course will be open to traffic between the two competition days, although organisers advised people to watch for temporary traffic control measures.