European route E16

European route E16. It is a major international European route connecting the Atlantic coast of Ireland with the Baltic Sea coast of Sweden, traversing the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Norway, and Sweden. With a total length of approximately 716 kilometres, the route uniquely combines ferry crossings with road segments, serving as a vital transport corridor across the North Sea and Scandinavian Mountains. Its development has been closely tied to regional economic integration and improvements in Trans-European Transport Networks.

Route description

The route begins in the port city of Derry in Northern Ireland, proceeding southeast through County Londonderry to Toome and onward to Antrim. From there, it connects to the M2 motorway leading into the capital, Belfast. A ferry service operated by companies like Stena Line connects Belfast to the port of Cairnryan in Scotland, from where the road continues north through Ayrshire and past Glasgow to Stirling. After traversing the Scottish Highlands via the A9 road and passing landmarks like the Cairngorms National Park, it reaches the port of Scrabster in Caithness. Another major ferry crossing, often serviced by DFDS Seaways, links Scrabster to Bergen, a key city on Norway's southwestern coast. From Bergen, the E16 heads eastward, following the Bergensbanen railway line through dramatic terrain including the Hardangervidda plateau and the Hallingskarvet mountain range, before descending into the Hallingdal valley. It passes through towns like Voss, Flåm, and Gol before reaching the capital region, terminating at its southeastern end in the port city of Gävle on Sweden's Baltic Sea coast, having crossed the border from Norway at the Svinesund bridge area.

History

The E16 was formally established in 1992 as part of a major revision of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe's International E-road network, intended to improve north-south connections in Scandinavia and the British Isles. Its designation integrated pre-existing national roads and ferry links, such as the historic trading route between Bergen and Oslo known as the Bergenske hovedvei, and the long-standing sea connection across the North Channel between Belfast and Scotland. Key infrastructure projects that later defined its corridor include the opening of the Oslofjord Tunnel in 2000 and the completion of the Hønefoss bypass. The route's alignment was significantly enhanced in Norway with the 2013 opening of the Bjønnafjell Tunnel, part of the new Arna–Stanghelle section which replaced the treacherous Trengereid road. These developments were driven by agreements under the European Union's TEN-T policy and bilateral treaties between Norway and Sweden to facilitate trade and tourism.

Major junctions

The route features numerous critical intersections and connection points with other European routes. In Northern Ireland, it intersects with the E01 near Derry and meets the A6 at Dungiven. In Scotland, it junctions with the E05 near Stirling and connects with the A82 road north of Glasgow. The Norwegian section contains several key junctions, including an intersection with the E39 in the centre of Bergen, a junction with the E134 at Hønefoss, and a major interchange with the E6 at Sandvika just west of Oslo. Further east, it meets the E18 at Kongsvinger before crossing into Sweden. In Sweden, it has junctions with the E4 at Gävle and connects with the E45 near Mora, providing a link to central Sweden and the Bothnian Sea region.

Future developments

Several major projects are planned to upgrade capacity and safety along the corridor. In Norway, the ongoing E16 Høgkastet–Hunndalen project aims to widen the road and reduce travel time between Hønefoss and Sørumsand. There are also proposals for a new fixed link, such as a tunnel or bridge, across the Sotrasundet to improve access to Bergen from the north, potentially tying into the E39 Coastal Highway mega-project. In Sweden, discussions are focused on bypassing the city of Sandviken to alleviate congestion. Furthermore, the European Union's Connecting Europe Facility is funding studies for enhancing the rail parallel to the road, particularly the Bergensbanen, to create a more integrated multimodal transport artery. Environmental assessments are also underway for the section traversing the Hardangervidda National Park to mitigate ecological impact while maintaining this crucial transit route for freight and passengers between the North Sea and the Baltic region.

Category:European routes Category:Transport in Norway Category:Transport in Sweden Category:Transport in the United Kingdom Category:Transport in Ireland Category:Roads in Europe