Definition European route E45 is a north-south Class A European road that is part of the international E-road network, connecting Northern Europe to Southern Europe.
Overview The E45 is one of the longest European routes, spanning approximately 4,920 kilometres (3,060 mi). It originates in Alta, Norway, and terminates in Gela, Sicily, Italy, traversing seven countries: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, and Italy. This extensive route serves as a crucial artery for transportation, facilitating passenger and freight movement across the European continent.
Etymology/Origin The E-road network was established and is maintained under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The "E" prefix signifies "Europe," and the network aims to provide a standardized, high-quality road system for international traffic. The numbering system for E-roads follows a specific convention formalized in 1975: primary north-south routes end in 5 (like E45), while primary east-west routes end in 0. Intermediate roads are numbered differently.
Characteristics The E45 passes through a wide range of landscapes, from the Arctic regions of Norway to the Mediterranean coast of Sicily, connecting numerous urban centres and industrial regions. The route comprises diverse road types, including modern motorways, four-lane expressways, and occasionally two-lane roads in less populated areas.
- Norway: The route begins in Alta, following parts of Norwegian National Road 93 and then the E6 before diverging onto other local roads southward.
- Sweden: In Sweden, the E45 is often referred to as "Inlandsvägen" (The Inland Road). It traverses central Sweden, passing through cities such as Östersund and Trollhättan, and often shares its designation with various national roads.
- Denmark: The E45 crosses the Danish mainland (Jutland) as a major motorway, connecting key cities including Frederikshavn, Aalborg, Aarhus, and Kolding, before continuing into Germany.
- Germany: The German segment of E45 is predominantly co-designated with the Bundesautobahn 7 (A7), which is Germany's longest motorway. It connects northern Germany (e.g., Hamburg, Hanover) with Bavaria (e.g., Würzburg, Nuremberg, Ulm) before crossing into Austria near Füssen/Reutte.
- Austria: In Austria, the E45 utilizes sections of the Inn Valley Autobahn (A12) and the Brenner Autobahn (A13), traversing the Alps via the historically significant Brenner Pass.
- Italy: The Italian section largely follows the Autostrada A22 (Autobrennero) through South Tyrol, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna, connecting cities like Bolzano, Verona, Modena, and Bologna. South of Bologna, it transitions through central and southern Italy, utilizing parts of Autostrada A1 and other national routes, including crossing the Strait of Messina to Sicily, where it continues to its terminus in Gela.
The E45 is vital for international freight transport, tourism, and connecting major population centres and industrial regions across the continent, serving as a critical economic and social link.
Related Topics
- E-road network: The overarching system of international routes across Europe and parts of Asia, coordinated by the UNECE.
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE): The international body responsible for the standardization and coordination of the E-road network.
- Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T): A broader European Union initiative aimed at developing a comprehensive network of roads, railways, airports, and waterways across the EU. Many E-roads, including E45, form part of the TEN-T core network.
- Brenner Pass: A historically and geographically crucial mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, traversed by the E45, facilitating transit between Austria and Italy.