Traffic was redirected via local roads until morning. By 6 am, the road was reopened.
The old railway viaduct was demolished at exactly 11 pm at night. It was carried out without issues. The decision to demolish the viaduct was made because it was an obstacle to road widening.
The Defense Forces used the demolition as a training exercise. They practiced setting up barriers for military defense purposes.
The Halinga railway viaduct was the only narrow-gauge railway viaduct in Estonia. The railway was used for transporting peat from the Lavassaare bog to the Tootsi briquette factory.
Transport Administration expert Olari Valter stated that the viaduct had been ownerless property for a long time. It obstructed the new road both in terms of location and construction.
The demolition is part of the construction of the Tallinn–Pärnu–Ikla highway. The total project cost is 25.5 million euros. The European Union co-finances 85% of the costs.
Photos show the Halinga viaduct before and after the demolition. The pictures are the work of ERR / Kristi Raidla.