Definition
Autostrada A36, also referred to as the “Pedemontana Lombarda,” is a planned Italian highway intended to provide a high‑capacity, toll‑free roadway across the Lombardy region.
Overview
The A36 is designed to run primarily in an east‑west direction, parallel to the existing Autostrada A4 (the Milano–Venice corridor), thereby alleviating traffic congestion on that heavily used route. The project aims to improve intra‑regional connectivity, support economic development, and enhance mobility for both passenger and freight traffic within northern Italy.
Etymology/Origin
The designation “A36” follows the Italian autostrada numbering system, where “A” denotes an autostrada (motorway) and the numeric component indicates its sequential allocation. The alternate name “Pedemontana Lombarda” is derived from the Italian term pedemontana (“foot‑of‑the‑mountain”), reflecting the route’s intended alignment along the southern foothills of the Alps within Lombardy.
Characteristics
- Route projection: The proposed alignment is expected to connect the area near Cassano Magnago (junction with the A8/A9) in the west to the vicinity of Bergamo or the A21 corridor in the east, traversing the provinces of Varese, Milan, and Bergamo.
- Length: Preliminary plans indicate a total length of roughly 90 kilometres (≈ 55 miles).
- Design standards: As a modern autostrada, the A36 would be constructed to dual‑carriageway specifications, featuring multiple lanes in each direction, grade‑separated interchanges, and compliance with Italian motorway safety regulations.
- Toll policy: The project is intended to be toll‑free, distinguishing it from many other Italian motorways.
- Status: As of the latest publicly available information, the A36 remains a planned infrastructure project; portions of the route have undergone environmental assessments and preliminary land‑acquisition procedures, but full construction has not yet commenced.
Related Topics
- Autostrada A4 (Milano–Venice) – the primary east‑west motorway in northern Italy that the A36 seeks to supplement.
- Italian motorway network – overview of the national system of toll and toll‑free highways.
- Regional transport policy in Lombardy – initiatives aimed at improving mobility and reducing congestion within the region.
- Pedemontana Lombarda – the broader regional development concept associated with the A36 corridor.
Note: Detailed technical specifications, exact junction points, and construction timelines are subject to change as the project progresses. Accurate information is not confirmed for all aspects of the A36 at this time.