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'Autostrada' is the Italian word for motorways/freeways, but is used in several countries including Switzerland, Lithuania, Poland, Egypt, Israel, Albania and Romania. Italy's Autostrada has one of the highest speed limits in Europe, excluding the German Autobahn. The speed limit varies but 130 km/h (~80 mph) is common; with the limits for trucks being lower, at 80 km/h(~50mph). During times of heavy rain or snow, the speed limits for cars is lowered to 110 km/h (~70mph).

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History

See also

External links

History

Italy was the first country in the world to build such roads, the first one being the "Autostrada dei Laghi" (''Lakes' Highway''), from Milan to Varese, built in 1924. In 1927 the Rome bypass running 57 miles bypassing Rome to the east was completed. It followed a dual carriageway design and was the first modern freeway bypass in Europe. This early motorway was extended in the early 1930's south to Naples and north to Florence where it merged with another Autostrada. Plans to further extend it southward to Sicily were scheduled in 1940.
In the 1930s the Fascist government built over 800 miles of motorways conncecting all of the major cities of Southern Italy and most of northern Italy. Conctruction ceased in 1941 due to World War II and the magificant highway network fell into ruin until 1956 when plans to rebuild the major links began. During the 1960's and 1970's most of the Austorada was rebuilt and today is the fifth largest motorway network in the world.

See also

★ List of motorways in Italy

★ Roads and expressways in Romania

★ Roads and expressways in Poland

External links

★ Official website in Italian

★ Official website in English

★ Lithuanian Road Administration

★ Travel guide in English