Estonia completes Saatse Boot bypass roads

Bypass roads around the large and small Saatse Boot are complete, making travel in Setomaa easier, ERR reports. The paved road, more than seven kilometres long including repaired side roads, cost over €2.5 million.

The Värska–Saatse road had already been in use for a couple of weeks before a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held. Residents praised the new road, saying it would make travel to school, work and home more comfortable and safer.

Setomaa municipality head Raul Kudre said the road would benefit many people, including visitors to a 50-bed care home and a local museum. He said 300 or more people are connected to the area during the summer, including residents and visitors.

Construction brought challenges because the road passes through a nature reserve and the ground conditions were difficult. Janar Taal, head of the Transport Administration’s southern region, said water levels were high in some places and required extra work.

The road will also make the work of police and border guards easier. Meelis Saarepuu, head of the Police and Border Guard Board’s southern prefecture border guard bureau, said Estonian law applies along the entire road, allowing the board to assist people there. He added that the new Matsuri road and the route around Saatse would reduce wear on both official and local vehicles.