Tartu’s popular car-free avenue to return this summer

Text Mark Taylor
Photo Maanus Kullamaa

From June 17 to August 14 a section of Vabaduse Avenue in Tartu will be closed to cars. During this time, various cultural events will take place, food stalls will be set up, and outdoor furniture used in previous years will return.

Preparation for the car-free avenue will begin in May, with temporary cycle lanes being added to Riia Street and Vabaduse Avenue, from the Vaksali bridge to the city centre. As a result, car traffic will be limited to 1+1 lanes, and a reduced speed limit of 30km/h will be introduced. Between June 17 and August 14, a section of Vabaduse Avenue will be closed to all motorized vehicles. 

“This year’s Car-Free Avenue will provide an excellent opportunity to test how the residents of Tartu behave when they are given greater freedom of choice in their daily movements,” Tartu’s Mayor Urmas Klaas explained.

According to Tartu City architect Tõnis Arjus, the project is a testing platform to collect data and improve conditions for local residents and those visiting the city. 

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