European route E134

European route E134
Country	EUR
Route	134
Length km	449
Terminus a	Haugesund
Terminus b	Vassum
Countries	Norway

European route E134 is a transnational road corridor crossing southern Norway from the North Sea coast to the inland borderlands, linking Haugesund and Drammen via Haugesund, Notodden, Kongsberg, and Drammen. The route traverses fjord landscapes, mountain passes, and urban centres, intersecting major transport nodes such as the E39, E6, and national road network around Oslofjord and Telemark. E134 serves as a strategic link between Western Norway and Eastern Norway, connecting ports, rail hubs, and industrial areas including Kværner, Hydro, and Norsk Hydro facilities.

Route description

E134 runs west–east from Haugesund through Rogaland, Vestfold og Telemark, and Viken, crossing the Haugesund harbour area, crossing over the Karmsund strait near the town of Karmøy, then following inland valleys toward Sauda, Odda, and Røldal. It ascends the Hardangervidda plateau, skirting Hardangerfjord landmarks near Odda and Tyssedal, then descends into the Telemark watershed through Seljord and Notodden before reaching Kongsberg and Drammen in the Oslofjord region. Along its alignment the road intersects with the E39 coastal corridor near Haugesund, the Rv13 corridor near Odda, and the E18/E6 confluence near Oslo, providing through links to Bergen, Stavanger, Kristiansand, Trondheim, and Gothenburg. The route passes notable natural and cultural sites such as Folgefonna, Hardangervidda National Park, Røldal Stave Church, Telemark Canal, Kongsberg Silver Mines, and the Drammen River waterfront.

History

The corridor incorporates elements of historical trade and chieftain routes used in the Viking Age and the Medieval period connecting Bergen and Oslo trading networks, with later 19th‑century improvements tied to timber and mining expansion around Kongsberg and Rjukan. 20th‑century upgrades paralleled Norwegian state investments in national roads, including post‑WWII reconstruction and hydroelectric industrial development connected to Norsk Hydro and Sam Eyde projects. Key 21st‑century milestones include tunnel bores and realignments influenced by engineering works near Røldal, upgrades to the Haukeli mountain pass, and integration with European transport planning that aligned the corridor with the E‑road network endorsed by UNECE and national agencies such as Statens vegvesen.

Major junctions and towns

The route serves or connects the following principal settlements and transport nodes: Haugesund (port and ferry terminals), Karmøy (industrial zone), Sauda (mining legacy), Odda (hydropower and tourism), Røldal (church and pass), Haukeli (mountain pass), Seljord (cultural centre), Notodden (industrial heritage, UNESCO links), Kongsberg (mining and defence industry), Hokksund (rail junction), and Drammen (fjord port and regional rail terminals). Major junctions include intersections with European routes and national roads such as E39 near Haugesund, Rv13 near Odda, Rv363 near Notodden, E134–E18/E6 approach corridors around Oslofjord, and county road links to Rjukan, Bergen, and Stavanger. The corridor interfaces with rail lines including Sørlandet Line, Rjukan Line heritage segments, and connections to the Bergen Line at Haukeli and to the Oslo–Bergen corridor.

Road characteristics and infrastructure

E134 comprises two‑lane rural stretches, multi‑lane urban sections, and numerous engineered structures: long bored tunnels, suspension bridges, cuttings, avalanche galleries, and mountain pass-grade segments. Notable infrastructure features include the Haukeli tunnels, the Røldal tunnels, and upgraded sections with hard shoulders and climbing lanes near steep gradients used by heavy freight serving smelting works and timber terminals. The pavement design accommodates seasonal freeze–thaw cycles and heavy axle loads from industrial transports associated with companies such as Hydro, Elkem, and international freight operators. Maintenance and winter services are coordinated with regional offices of Statens vegvesen, local municipalities, and emergency services in Drammen and Haugesund.

Traffic and safety

Traffic volumes vary from high urban flows near Drammen and Haugesund to low alpine counts across Hardangervidda, with peak summer tourism surges to National Park access points and winter ski resorts. Freight composition includes containerised cargo to and from Haugesund port, bulk ore movements serving Kongsberg and Odda industries, and timber haulage from Vestfold og Telemark forests. Safety challenges include winter blizzards, black ice on mountain stretches, tunnel incidents, and steep-gradient accident clusters historically recorded near Røldal and Haukeli; countermeasures deployed include avalanche control, variable message signs, emergency telephones, and enforced winter tyre regulations overseen by police districts and transport safety agencies. Road safety partnerships involve the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, local municipalities, NAF (Norwegian Automobile Federation), and traffic research units at institutions such as NTNU and SINTEF.

Future developments and upgrades

Planned investments target capacity increases, bypasses around congested towns, additional tunnel bores to reduce elevation and improve winter reliability, and upgrades to junctions connecting to E39 and E6 to enhance freight efficiency. Proposals include new engineering solutions to lower gradients across Hardangervidda, electrification-ready infrastructure for heavy vehicle charging, and climate resilience measures influenced by national climate adaptation strategies and transport policies from the Ministry of Transport. Stakeholders involved in future works include Statens vegvesen, regional authorities in Rogaland and Viken, municipal councils of Haugesund and Drammen, and private contractors with expertise in tunnelling such as Skanska and NCC. Potential funding sources combine national budgets, toll financing schemes, and EU/UNECE coordination for trans‑European corridor improvements.

Category:Roads in Norway