FACT CHECK | Did the Defence Forces blow up a viaduct that was newly renovated for 12 million? No

A viral question on social media about the demolition of the Kanama viaduct has triggered hundreds of angry comments on Facebook. The post, which falsely suggests that the viaduct had just been renovated for $12 million, has been shared nearly 100 times.On Wednesday, a Facebook user wrote: „The viaduct, which was recently renovated for 12 million dollars, was just BLOWN UP?!?!?!“ Many commenters assumed the claim was factual, believing a newly upgraded bridge had been demolished. However, some users pointed out that the viaduct was actually old and had not undergone any significant repairs in recent years.Facts The last major renovation of the Kanama viaduct was in 2009, costing 16 million Estonian kroons (~€1 million).Between 2021 and 2023, only minimal safety maintenance was carried out.Two new ramps, built between 2021 and 2023, remain in use and are not part of the demolition.Viktor Kiselyov, head of the Northern Department of the Road Maintenance Service at the Transport Administration, confirmed the claim of a recent $12 million renovation is false.He explained that no major repairs had been done since 2009, when the bridge’s load-bearing capacity was restored and a traffic hazard was removed. Between 2021 and 2023, only minor resurfacing, expansion joint repairs, and crash barrier installations were carried out for road safety.„Before the installation of crash barriers, a fatal accident occurred on the viaduct. These safety measures were essential to prevent further incidents and improve driving conditions,“ Kiselyov said.The decision of controlled demolition using explosives allowed Estonian Defence Forces to practice on a real structure. This method was cheaper, faster, and less disruptive to traffic compared to traditional demolition.The new viaduct, with an improved load capacity of 360 tonnes (compared to the previous 80 tonnes), is expected to be completed by September 2025.As the viaduct is an important route for defence-related traffic, its reconstruction—along with other junctions connecting Tapa to other Estonian military sites—is co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) under the EstMilMob military mobility project.Verdict: Misleading. While the claim was phrased as a question rather than a direct statement, it misleads readers by suggesting a recent major renovation was wasted. The last major upgrade took place in 2009, while only minor road safety improvements were made between 2021 and 2023.