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This is the first official ice road opened this year by the agency. It will be continuously monitored and could be closed at short notice if conditions change, it said. You can see the map here.

The temporary road opened at 9 a.m. on Sunday and stretches between Tärkma on Hiiumaa and Triigi on Saaremaa over the frozen sea. Vehicles undertaking the journey must weigh less than 2.5 tons.

By early afternoon, ERR's Saaremaa correspondent reported that cars were queuing at both ends of the ice road, around 20 in Hiiumaa and 60 in Saaremaa.

The Transport Administration also published the rules for driving on the temporary track.

It is only possible to drive on the track during daylight hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last vehicle is allowed onto the ice at 4:30 p.m. It will be closed if visibility drops below 300 meters.

The recommended speed is up to 25 km/h or between 40-70 km/h (speeds between 25-40 km/h may generate a resonance wave that could damage the ice).

The road surface is uneven and at the 2.8-kilometer mark, an ice bridge has been built over a crack. Uneven areas must be crossed at the lowest possible speed.

Vehicles may enter the ice road only at marked entry points, and at a minimum interval of two minutes between vehicles.

A distance of at least 250 meters must be maintained from the vehicle ahead.

Overtaking and two-way traffic on the same lane are banned and driving off of the marked ice road is not allowed.

Seat belts must be unfastened, and vehicle doors should remain easily openable.

The agency said it is essential that the rules are followed on the ice road. The track is maintained by contractor Verston Eesti OÜ.

Vehicles must not be stopped on the ice road. Speeding, driving in snowstorms, fog, or darkness is prohibited.

Upon entering the ice road, drivers should save the phone number of the monitoring station listed on the sign at the start of the route, in case emergency assistance is needed.

The Transport Administration recommends checking the current status of ice roads via the ice road map on the TarkTee portal, which is updated as new information becomes available.

The agency also urges drivers not to drive onto ice roads that are not officially open, as doing so is life-threatening. Several unofficial routes are currently in use between the mainland and the island of Vormsi, where the ice is not regularly checked.

Last week, the Transport Administration said the ice road was being built to give islanders an alternative route to the mainland as ferry services struggled with winter sea ice.

Priit Sauk, the agency's director general, said: "The Transport Administration definitely wants to establish an ice road as soon as possible, to offer drivers an alternative route from Hiiumaa to Saaremaa and then from there to the mainland. It is important to conduct the necessary studies without rushing and be sure that the road being built is safe for traffic."

Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis (Reform) said there are no plans to open ice roads on other routes this year.

"This is an exceptional but necessary solution in the current situation to mitigate risks and ensure mobility for the residents of, and visitors to, Hiiumaa," he added.

This article was updated to add the galleries and reporting from Saaremaa.

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Editor: Mari Peegel, Helen Wright

LIVELihtsad uudised 6. veebruarillisten: radio tallinnLIVEwatch: jupiterLIVEAbout usERR News is the English-language service of Estonian Public Broadcasting, run by a fully independent editorial team.To read up on ERR News' comments rules and to contact ERR's other services, please follow the link below.Staff, contacts & comments

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