Haapsalu and builder dispute repairs as main street crumbles

Haapsalu’s main street, Posti Street, is deteriorating four years after a renovation that cost more than 3.5 million euros, with paving stones crumbling and pedestrian crossings breaking up, ERR reported.

The city and construction company YIT identified more than 60 defects on the street this spring. They have yet to agree on who will carry out and pay for repairs. The warranty period ends next year.

Some residents say the rough road damages cars and is uncomfortable to drive on. Others praise the street’s appearance and say its uneven surface helps slow traffic.

YIT board member Reimo Ehrstein said in a letter that the jointing material for the setts, selected by the client, had proved less durable than expected and could deteriorate over time. He also said the city had not shown willingness to cooperate and had shifted attention away from the project design and choice of materials.

Haapsalu Mayor Olavi Seisonen said the design may have given greater consideration to appearance than to the smoothness of the road. The city is still calculating the likely repair cost.