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| E39 (Norway) | |
|---|---|
| Country | Norway |
| Route | E39 |
| Type | European route |
| Length km | 1146 |
| Terminus a | Trondheim |
| Terminus b | Kristiansand |
E39 (Norway) is a major north–south European route along the western coast of Norway connecting Trondheim, Ålesund, Bergen, Stavanger, and Kristiansand. The corridor links coastal urban centres, fjord crossings, ferry terminals and subsea tunnel projects, serving as a backbone for transport networks operated by entities such as Statens vegvesen and regional authorities in Trøndelag, Møre og Romsdal, Vestland, Rogaland, and Agder. The route forms part of the trans-European network implications associated with European route E6, European route E18, and maritime connections to ports like Bergen Harbour and Kristiansand Port.
E39 runs roughly 1146 km from the Trondheim area southwards through the districts of Trøndelag, Fjord, Sunnmøre, Nordfjord, and along the coastline past Ålesund Airport, Vigra, Molde Airport, Årø, and Bergen Airport, Flesland. The corridor traverses landscapes including the Romsdalen, Nordhordland, and the Jæren plain, passing through municipalities such as Volda, Herøy, Åsane, Sola and Sandnes. E39 interfaces with major rail nodes like Trondheim Central Station, Bergen Station, and freight terminals serving ports including Ålesund Port and Rogaland County Municipality facilities. The alignment combines motorway sections, two-lane national roads, urban ring roads, and numerous ferry links at crossings such as across the Sognefjorden, Bømlafjorden and Hardangerfjorden.
The modern route evolved from older national roads such as the former Norwegian National Road 9 alignments and 20th-century coastal highways built during the interwar and postwar periods under ministries including the Ministry of Transport (Norway). Coastal shipping lanes and ferry services operated by companies like Norled, Havila Kystruten, and Color Line influenced road placement. Major milestones include post‑World War II reconstruction, the establishment of the European route network by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and national upgrades in the 1970s–2000s that paralleled development at industrial centres like Stavanger Oil Field services and the expansion of maritime logistics anchored at Bergen Maritime Museum–adjacent port areas.
E39 incorporates signature structures: the Askøy Bridge, Nordhordland Bridge, and the Hoddevik-adjacent viaducts, as well as ferry quays at Kvitebjørnen terminals serving crossings to islands such as Sotra and Tysnes. Historic ferry operations at Molde-Vestnes and the Halsa-Edøy connections have been supplemented by fixed links elsewhere. The corridor crosses major fjords with ferry services provided by operators including Fjord1 and Torghatten Nord. Significant bridges and tunnels integrate with regional networks including the E16, Rv5, and county roads administered by municipalities like Bømlo and Haugesund.
Numerous projects aim to replace ferries with fixed links: proposed subsea tunnels such as the planned crossings under Sognefjorden and Bømlafjorden; the large-scale fixed link packages around Hordaland and Rogaland; and capacity enhancements near urban nodes like Stavanger Sentrum. Projects involve contractors and agencies including Statens vegvesen, engineering firms referenced through procurement from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, and financing mechanisms such as public–private partnership models used historically on schemes like the Bergen Programme. Several schemes are part of national transport plans overseen by the Storting and evaluated alongside railway investments such as InterCity upgrades.
E39 carries mixed long-distance, regional, commuter and freight traffic serving oil‑and‑gas supply chains linked to North Sea oil, aquaculture logistics connected to firms in Møre og Romsdal, and tourism flows to destinations like Geirangerfjord, Flåm, and the Nærøyfjord. Safety initiatives respond to high accident rates on two‑lane stretches and weather‑sensitive ferry operations, with measures coordinated by Norwegian Public Roads Administration, local police districts such as Vest politidistrikt and emergency services including Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Southern Norway. Speed regimes, tunnel safety technology, and winter maintenance are aligned with national standards shaped by incidents on routes like the Atlantic Ocean Road and lessons from European road safety programmes.
E39 underpins regional economies by connecting ports, industrial clusters, tourism sites and academic institutions such as Norwegian University of Science and Technology and University of Bergen. The route enables freight corridors for exporters linked to companies like Equinor and fisheries networks based in Bergen and Ålesund. Investments in fixed links stimulate local employment, procurement opportunities for firms such as NCC and Veidekke, and influence property markets in urban municipalities like Sandnes and Tromsø-adjacent corridors indirectly via connectivity improvements.
Upgrades are evaluated under frameworks involving the Norwegian Environment Agency, regional plans administered by county councils, and EU‑aligned directives considered through Norwegian participation in the European Economic Area. Projects face scrutiny over impacts on fjord ecosystems, bird habitats near areas such as Runde, and cultural landscapes including protected sites under oversight from the Directorate for Cultural Heritage. Environmental impact assessments address emissions, noise and maritime traffic displacement, with mitigation measures coordinated with stakeholders including fishing organisations, local municipalities, and conservation bodies like WWF Norway.