Tallinn deputy mayors Kristjan Järvan and Joel Jesse met with architects on Thursday.
They discussed plans for the reconstruction of Pärnu maantee. Jesse said the locations of stops will be reviewed. The goal is better transfer options and more logical locations.
It is planned that the Kosmos tram stop will move 100 meters towards Liivalaia Street. The optimal distance between stops would be 600 meters. This means a three-minute walk from the center to the next stop.
The Liivalaia intersection has four major schools: Tõnismäe Secondary School, vocational school, Tallinn University of Applied Sciences, and Tallinn Music and Ballet School. The route to the French Lyceum will become 100 meters longer.
Jesse said this solution allows different types of public transport to stop more conveniently at the same stop.
According to the president of the Architects' Union Aet Ader, the distance between stops in the city should be 200–400 meters. A distance of over 600 meters is too long, especially for the elderly and children.
Ader wants more short-term parking spots on Pärnu maantee. Jesse said this would require changing the traffic regime.
Currently, the plan is to use two lanes for public transport and two for private cars. Changing this could create short-term parking spots but may cause traffic problems.
Jesse emphasized that traffic flow and safety must be ensured. He mentioned that there is a parking garage near Rimi on Pärnu maantee.
Ader said the city did not offer alternatives to the two-plus-two lane plan. She recommended considering different solutions.
In addition to stops, Ader suggested adding benches and more greenery. She said spatial experts should be more involved.
Ader generally praised the project and stressed that Pärnu maantee will connect to Freedom Square in the future.
Jesse said the project design will continue this and next year. Construction will start at the end of next year and last about two years.