Third Ice Road Under Preparation


Photo: ERR

Preparations for opening the ice road between the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa are starting today.

"On which day the road will be opened, I cannot say exactly, but we sincerely hope that it will happen by Independence Day [on February 24]," Hannes Vaidla, regional head specialist for the Road Administration told Meie Maa.

Currently there are two ice roads open in Estonia: a 3.2 kilometer route linking the coastal town of Haapsalu and Noarootsi peninsula and a 10.2 kilometer road stretching from the mainland port of Rohuküla in Lääne County to the island of Vormsi. Due to this year's delayed winter, ice roads are being opened much later than in previous years.

Currently, vehicles with a maximum laden weight of 2.5 tons are permitted to use the ice roads. The Road Administration calls for all drivers to carry a charged cell phone and read the rules for driving on ice prior to using ice roads.

In 2011, a total of 55,663 vehicles used the six officially opened ice roads - three times more than in 2010.