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Estonia Deploys Risky Ice Road as Weather Cripples Island Ferries
Estonian authorities will open a 17-kilometer ice road connecting the islands of Hiiumaa and Saaremaa this week after low water levels and ice crippled ferry services, reviving a rare transport solution last attempted in 2018 when it was shut down prematurely due to damage.
- —Due to severe disruptions in ferry services between Hiiumaa and Saaremaa caused by low water levels and adverse weather, Estonian authorities are opening an official ice road connecting the two islands.
- —The ice road, spanning approximately 17 kilometers, is scheduled to open by Friday or Saturday, pending the completion of safety and ice thickness assessments.
- —The decision to open the ice road is an exceptional measure aimed at ensuring mobility for residents and visitors, as traditional ferry routes have become increasingly difficult to maintain.
- —The project is funded from the road maintenance budget, with an estimated cost of around 98,000 euros plus VAT for 30 days of operation, and is being carried out by Verston Eesti OÜ and AS Tariston.
- —Authorities are emphasizing strict adherence to traffic rules on the ice road to prevent damage, recalling a past incident in 2018 where a wedding procession halted on the ice road caused significant damage, leading to its premature closure.
Recap
The deployment of the Hiiumaa-Saaremaa ice road is a direct response to infrastructure failure caused by extreme weather, highlighting the logistical fragility of Estonia's island communities. The operation's success is contingent not only on stable weather but also on strict public compliance, a critical vulnerability exposed by the premature closure of the same route in 2018.