European route E39

European route E39
Country	EU
Route	E39
Length km	1330
Direction a	South
Terminus a	Trondheim
Direction b	North
Terminus b	Klett
Junction	European route E6, European route E136, European route E10
Ferries	Halsa–Kanestraum, Volda–Folkestad, Solavågen–Festvåg, Mortenjord–Åfarnes, Sylte–Oppdøl, Anda–Lote, Bergen–Stavanger

Contents

Route description
History
Major junctions and cities
Ferry crossings
Future developments
See also

European route E39. It is a major north-south highway in Norway, running along the western coast of the country. The route connects the cities of Trondheim in the south to Klett just south of Stavanger, traversing complex coastal terrain. As a vital transport artery, it links numerous fjords, peninsulas, and population centers, heavily relying on ferry connections and engineering projects like subsea tunnels.

Route description

The route begins at a junction with the European route E6 in Trondheim, heading southwest through the county of Trøndelag. It follows the intricate coastline of Western Norway, navigating around major fjords such as the Trondheimsfjord and Sognefjorden. The road passes through key regions including Møre og Romsdal, Vestland, and Rogaland, offering dramatic scenic views of the Norwegian Sea and mountainous terrain. Significant engineering works along its length include the Krifast road system near Kristiansund and the subsea Bømlafjord Tunnel. The route terminates at a junction with the European route E134 near Haugesund, after passing through the outskirts of Stavanger.

History

The road was established as part of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe's international E-road network in the post-war period. Its designation solidified the connection between central and southwestern Norway, integrating pre-existing national roads like the Norwegian National Road 1 and Norwegian National Road 14. Major milestones in its development include the opening of the Atlantic Ocean Road in 1989 and the completion of the fixed link across the Sognefjorden via the Lærdal Tunnel in 2000. Continuous upgrades have focused on replacing ferry crossings with bridges and tunnels, such as those in the Krifast system, to improve reliability and travel times.

Major junctions and cities

From north to south, the route intersects with several other European routes and passes through important urban centers. Key junctions include the terminus with the European route E6 in Trondheim and connections with the European route E136 near Ålesund. It meets the European route E10 via ferry connections in the Lofoten region. Major cities and towns directly served are Kristiansund, Molde, Ålesund, Bergen, and Stavanger. Other significant population centers along the route include Orkanger, Halsa, Volda, Førde, and Haugesund.

Ferry crossings

Due to the fractured coastal geography, the route historically depended on numerous ferry crossings. Important operational ferries include the Halsa–Kanestraum connection crossing the Trondheimsfjord, and the Volda–Folkestad ferry. Others are the Solavågen–Festvåg crossing, the Mortenjord–Åfarnes ferry, and the Sylte–Oppdøl connection. The route also utilizes the Anda–Lote ferry and the long-distance Bergen–Stavanger ferry service. These crossings are managed by operators like Norled and Fjord1, and are part of the national highway system.

Future developments

A major ongoing project is the replacement of ferry crossings with fixed links, notably the planned ferry-free connection between Kristiansand and Trondheim. The ambitious Coastal Highway Project aims to bridge or tunnel across major fjords like the Bjørnafjorden and Sulafjorden. Key constructions underway include the Halsafjord Tunnel and the Romsdalsfjord crossing. These projects, led by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, seek to eliminate all ferry dependencies on the route, significantly reducing travel time and improving all-weather reliability for freight and passengers.