Definition
Bundesautobahn 395 (abbreviated A 395) was a federal motorway (Autobahn) in the German state of Lower Saxony. It formed part of the national Autobahn network and was designated with the number 395.
Overview
A 395 connected the A 7 motorway near the town of Vienenburg with the Harz‑region town of Bad Harzburg. The route served as a north‑south corridor through the northern foothills of the Harz mountains, providing a high‑speed link between the major east‑west A 7 corridor and the local road network of the Harz area. The motorway was opened in stages during the mid‑1970s and remained in operation until its reclassification in the late 2010s, when the alignment was incorporated into other road designations.
Etymology / Origin
The name follows the standard German convention for federal motorways: “Bundesautobahn” (federal motorway) plus a numeric identifier. The number 395 was assigned sequentially within the Autobahn numbering system, where three‑digit numbers typically denote shorter, regional routes that branch from primary motorways.
Characteristics
- Length: Approximately 39 kilometres (about 24 miles).
- Termini:
- North‑bound start: Junction with the A 7 near Vienenburg (junction 10).
- South‑bound end: Junction with the B 4 near Bad Harzburg.
- Lane configuration: Predominantly a dual‑carriageway with two lanes per direction; some sections near the termini featured additional auxiliary lanes for merging traffic.
- Design standards: Built to standard German Autobahn specifications, including grade‑separated interchanges, a central barrier, and a design speed of 130 km/h (81 mph).
- Traffic: Served both local commuter traffic and longer‑distance travelers heading to the Harz mountain resorts. Seasonal traffic peaks occurred during winter sport seasons.
- Status: The A 395 designation was withdrawn in 2019 as part of a restructuring of the regional road network; the former route is now signed as part of the Bundesstraße 4 (B 4) and, where applicable, integrated into plans for the future A 36 corridor.
Related Topics
- Bundesautobahn 7 – Major north‑south Autobahn intersecting A 395.
- Bundesstraße 4 (B 4) – Federal highway that continues the route south of Bad Harzburg.
- German Autobahn numbering system – Framework governing the assignment of Autobahn numbers.
- Harz mountains transport network – Overview of road, rail, and bus infrastructure serving the Harz region.
- A 36 (proposed) – Planned Autobahn that may incorporate sections of the former A 395 alignment.