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Roads in Portugal

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Roads in Portugal are defined by the Plano Rodoviário Nacional (PRN, English: National Road Plan), which describes the existing and planned network of Portuguese roads. The present plan in force is the 2000 National Road Plan (PRN 2000), approved in 1998. It replaced PRN 1985, which itself had replaced PRN 1945.

The Portuguese road infrastructure was considered the best in Europe and the second best in the world by the World Economic Forum in its Global Competitiveness Report for 2014–2015.[1] In the 2017–2018 report, it was considered to 8th best in the world.[2] Nevertheless, all of these data were obtained through nothing more than an opinion survey of selected business executives.[3]

The scenic road between Peso da Régua and Pinhão, in Trás-os-Montes region, was considered the world's best driving road, according to the Avis Driving Index.[4] This road is a section of the N 222 which follows the Douro Valley.

A8 motorway, near Malveira

History of road classification in Portugal

[edit]

First road plans

[edit]
Section of the old road between Aveiro and Vilar Formoso. Completed in the 1930s as the National Road No. 8 of 1st class (EN 8-1ª), it became the National Road No. 16 (N 16) under PRN 1945. For decades, this was the most-direct road link between Portugal and the rest of Europe.
Section of the N 16 in Oliveira de Frades paved in granite blocks which were typical of the original national roads in Portugal.

The first road plans in Portugal date back from 1843 and 1848, and were based on 18th century plans which prioritized connections between Lisbon and strategic points of the country, and as a support for fluvial routes.[5] The planned network was classified in 1850 into estradas (roads) and caminhos (paths), with the estradas being classified as 1st and 2nd class. Caminhos were routes of merely local interest.[6]

In 1862, the existing and planned roads were classified as 1st class roads or estradas reais (royal roads), 2nd class roads or estradas distritais (district roads), and estradas municipais (municipal roads). The estradas reais were those with direct or indirect (via railways, for instance) origin in Lisbon and were managed by the State. The estradas distritais were managed by the districts while estradas municipais were managed by the municipalities.[7]

With the abolition of the monarchy in 1910, the estradas reais were renamed estradas nacionais (national roads).

In 1913, the Law of 22 February established a commission to study a new classification of the roads and propose guidelines to establish that classification. However, despite these efforts, many routes were not clearly classified and the condition of most roads was chaotic. Widespread use of the automobile in the 1920s created new pressure for reforming the Portuguese road network.

In 1926, under the Ditadura Nacional regime, a provisional General Plan of National Roads of 1st and 2nd class was established by Decree No. 12,100 of 31 July 1926, according to what was previewed by the Law of 22 February 1913.[8] Both the 1st and 2nd class roads would be designated estradas nacionais, with the term estrada distrital disappearing. They were designated EN xx-x (for estradas nacionais followed by the number of the road and its class). This plan established 23 roads of 1st class (designated EN 1-1ª to EN 23-1ª) and 112 roads of 2nd class (designated EN 1-2ª to EN 112-2ª).[8] The definite General Plan of National Roads was approved by Decree No. 16,075 of 30 September 1928.[9] It kept the 23 1st class roads and the 112 2nd class ones, but some roads were rerouted, extended, or truncated.

The 1st class national roads included in the 1928 General Plan of National Roads were the following:[9]

Number Route
 EN 1-1ª  PortoViana do Castelo – the margin of Minho river – São Gonçalo border
 EN 2-1ª  PortoBragaMonção
 EN 3-1ª  Viana do Castelo – Lindoso (border)
 EN 4-1ª  Viana do CasteloBragaBragançaBridge over Maçãs river (border)
 EN 5-1ª  BragaGuimarãesAmaranteVila RealBragançaFrança (border)
 EN 6-1ª  PortoPenafielRéguaBarca de Alva
 EN 7-1ª  São Pedro do SulVila RealChaves – border
 EN 8-1ª  AveiroViseuGuardaAlmeidaVilar Formoso (border)
 EN 9-1ª  BuarcosFigueira da FozCoimbraMoncorvoPodence
 EN 10-1ª  PortoCoimbraLeiriaCaldas da RainhaLouresLisboa
 EN 11-1ª  MalveiraEriceiraSintraCascaisAlgés (Lisboa)
 EN 12-1ª  LisboaSantarémCastelo BrancoSalvaterra do Extremo (border)
 EN 13-1ª  BarreiroAldeia GalegaAlmeirim – Barreiras do Tejo (Abrantes)
 EN 14-1ª  Torres NovasAbrantesProença-a-Nova
 EN 15-1ª  GuardaCastelo BrancoPortalegre
 EN 16-1ª  PenicheSantarémCorucheÉvora
 EN 17-1ª  FronteiraPortalegreÉvoraBeja
 EN 18-1ª  Aldeia GalegaVendas NovasElvasBridge over Caia river (border)
 EN 19-1ª  CacilhasSetúbalAlcácer do SalFerreira do AlentejoSão Brás de AlportelFaro
 EN 20-1ª  Alcácer do SalGrândolaOdemiraLagos
 EN 21-1ª  SinesFerreira do AlentejoMouraRosal da Cristina (border)
 EN 22-1ª  OdemiraOuriqueMértolaMina de São Domingos
 EN 23-1ª  LagosFaroVila Real de Santo António

By Law No. 3,969 of 20 July 1927, the Junta Autónoma das Estradas (JAE, English: Autonomous Road Board) was created to study the condition of the Portuguese road network. The preliminary report was clear to state that from the 16,000 kilometres (9,900 mi) of the planned national road network, 4,000 km (2,500 mi) were to be completed and from the 12,000 km (7,500 mi) already built, 10,000 km (6,200 mi) were in an almost-ruined condition.[10]

In 1933, roads were reclassified as estradas nacionais (1st and 2nd class), estradas municipais and caminhos públicos (public paths), with the latter two under municipal management.[11]

1945 National Road Plan

[edit]
N12 is an Oporto ring road and a first-class National Road according to PRN 1945. It is to be converted into a boulevard.
N122 (BejaVila Real de Santo António) was a 1st-class National Road.
N217 is a 2nd-class National Road in Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro.

In 1933, the entire (i.e. built and planned) network of national roads totalled 16,900 km (10,500 mi).[12] The state recognized the importance of the road network and, in 1945, created the first real national road plan, the Plano Rodoviário Nacional de 1945 (PRN 45), defined in Law No. 34,593 of 11 May 1945. This plan comprised a national road network of 20,597 km (12,798 mi).[12][13]

PRN 1945 classified the national road network in Rede Fundamental (Fundamental Network) and Rede Complementar (Complementary Network). The latter served to support the fundamental network. Roads were classified according to the following:

  • Fundamental Network: Estradas nacionais (EN or N)
    • 1st-class roads:
      • Principal routes (itinerários principais):  N 1  to  N 18 
      • Other first-class roads:  N 101  to  N 125 
    • 2nd-class roads:
      •  N 201  to  N 270 
  • Complementary Network: Estradas nacionais (EN or N)
    • 3rd-class roads:
      •  N 301  to  N 398 
      •  N X–Y . Branch roads, emerging from a determined road, which was identified by X, with a number of order according to point of origin, identified by Y. The road with most branch roads was  N 1 , originally with 16 roads numbered  N 1–1  to  N 1–16 . (In 1961  N 1–1  and  N 1–2  were renamed as  N 10–7  and  N 10–6 , respectively. However, later  N 1–17  and  N 1–18  were created, so N 1 resumed the record for 16 branches). These roads were planned to cover distances rarely longer than 20 km (12 mi), closing some road grids, and connecting locations of some demographic importance which are not covered by the "parent" road such as less-important border crossings, railway stations, and seaports. There were 438 branch roads.

The National Roads Statutes were subsequently approved in 1949.[14]

In 1961, separate legislation (Law No. 2110 of 19 August 1961)[15] on municipal roads defined new guidelines on construction, maintenance, and commercialization of these roads, and those were classified as following:

  • Estradas municipais (EM or M):[16]
    •  M 501  M 999 , following a district sequence, so the sequence 501 and over was repeated in every district. Municipal Roads could have also Branch Roads, following the same rules as for National Roads
  • Caminhos públicos or, from 1961,[17] caminhos municipais (CM)
    •  CM 1001  and on, with the same numbering rules as Municipal Roads

The Main Roads could be, by law, upgraded to 4 lanes with central separation, if necessary. In fact this happened before PRN 1945, with the N7 motorway (now the A5) between Lisbon and the National Stadium completed in 1944, and in 1961 with the first 25 km (16 mi) of N1 motorway (now A1) between Lisbon and Vila Franca de Xira. The first urban highways were built in the 1960s. Nevertheless, most motorways built before 1985 had no number at all.

The road classes were distinguished using colour codes: red for first class, blue for second class, green for third class, yellow for municipal roads, and brown for municipal paths. These colours were applied as the basis of the location markers and occasionally in the background of the road numbers. The numbering distribution for main roads was according to the importance of its route in the network, and for N101 and over were numbered in a north-to-south fashion.

The length of the roads had no relation with its class (except for branch roads, which were usually short), with existing 3rd-class roads longer than 100 km (62 mi), and main roads with as short as 8 km (5.0 mi), like the N7 highway, now part of A5. The longest road of the 1945 Plan was N2, connecting Chaves to Faro, extending for 738 km (459 mi).

According to PRN 1945, there were 18 Main Roads, designated N1 through N18.

Number Route Length Notes
 N 1  LisbonVila Franca de XiraLeiriaPombalCoimbraAlbergaria-a-VelhaPorto (northern end of upper deck of D. Luís Bridge) Originally about 320 km (200 mi);
307 km (191 mi) between Lisbon and the northern end of Av. da República in Vila Nova de Gaia
On the 1945 National Roadway Plan, this was Portugal's main road, connecting Lisbon and Oporto. Originally crossing the towns or city centres on its route, over the years many bypass roads have been built to avoid urban traffic.

In 1961, the new motorway section between Lisbon and Vila Franca de Xira, part of the future Lisbon–Oporto Motorway, was integrated into the N1. The original route became an extension of the N10. The N1 classification for the referred branch of A1 had been kept until 1985, thereafter the N1 road had its starting point at the level of km 26.

Also during the 1960s, a more direct and straight connection between Venda das Raparigas (Benedita, Alcobaça) and São Jorge (Porto de Mós) has been built. The original route was reclassified, in 1973, as N 8–6 (Venda das Raparigas–Alcobaça, or more properly Alcobaça–Venda das Raparigas) and N 8 (Alcobaça–vicinity of São Jorge), thus extending its route farther north.

According to PRN 1985, most parts of this road have been included on IC2, signed as IC2/N1. Some sections which aren't common with IC2 are intended for local traffic, or are parts parallel to auto-estrada sections of IC2.

 N 2  ChavesVila RealViseuPenacovaAbrantesPonte de SorMontemor-o-NovoFerreira do AlentejoAlmodôvarFaro 738 km (459 mi) The longest road of Portugal according to 1945 National Roadway Plan, connecting north to south, "cutting" the country halfway between west and east and crossing eleven of the eighteen districts of Portugal. In Trás-os-Montes and Viseu district N2 crossed district capitals (Vila Real and Viseu) and medium-sized cities (Chaves and Lamego) but south of that regions (i.e. roughly for the remaining 500 km), the road ran far from any major city until near its end in Faro. N2 never had an autonomous traffic that justified its importance in the 1945 Plan and the long national road became a sequential collection of regional sections.[18] The failure of N2 proved that the major link between the Northern and Southern regions of Portugal should always cross Lisbon area (as happens nowadays with IP1 and IC1).[18] In the 1985 and 2000 National Road Plans, IP3 (a single- or dual-carriageway highway) runs parallel to N2 in Trás-os-Montes and Viseu district, but south of that no major road follows the former N2 axis. Currently, almost all sections of N2 have been downgraded to regional or municipal roads.

The route classified as N2 by 1945 had been fully asphalted from the 1930s to 1944.

Many branches had been replaced in importance by the 1985 Plan's IP routes, some renamed as Estrada Regional (R 2), some were municipalized and some classified as historical patrimony.

Due to its characteristics, N2 is nicknamed Portuguese Route 66.

In November 2015, a trans-regional project called Rota da Estrada Nacional 2 had been signed by eleven of the thirty-six municipalities along its route (although all municipalities will be part of the project). It aims to promote the past part of Portugal's inland crossed by the road for its importance to tourism, culture and gastronomy.[19]

 N 3  Carregado (N1) – SantarémTorres NovasVila Velha de RodãoCastelo Branco (N18) 213 km (132 mi) It was the most direct connection between Lisbon (Carregado is located at km 33 of N 1) and the most important cities of the former provinces of Ribatejo, Beira Baixa, and Beira Alta, the latter through N18, which this road meets in Sernadas do Ródão.
 N 4  MontijoVendas NovasEstremozElvasCaia 182 km (113 mi);
194 km (121 mi) projected
The original project of this road included a bridge over the Tagus River, in order to directly connect Lisbon with Alentejo and the border of Caia, near Badajoz, where it would meet the Spanish N-V.

The bridge was never built and this road starts at the level of km 12.

 N 5  MontijoMaratecaAlcácer do Sal – Barragem do Vale de Gaio – N2 87 km (54 mi) Projected to connect the Lisbon region into the south of Portugal, through N2, which this road would meet in Torrão; later it was decided that this road would run through Vale do Gaio Dam.

The connection between Vale do Gaio Dam and N2 was never built, but the route through Torrão was built and reclassified as N5-2.

 N 6  LisbonPaço de ArcosParedeEstorilCascais 25 km (16 mi) The famous seaside Road of Cascais/Estoril Coast, also known as Avenida Marginal on most of its route. It is designed as a four lane, two in either direction. This road was projected to include the former Lisbon ringroad on its route.
 N 7  LisbonNational Stadium 8 km (5.0 mi) Original name of the A5, the first Portuguese motorway, inaugurated in 1944. It was only extended into Cascais in 1991 when it became known as A5.
 N 8  LisbonLouresTorres VedrasÓbidosCaldas da RainhaAlcobaçaCruz da Légua – IC2 / N1 131 km (81 mi) Connects Lisbon to the West Region. Originally this road ended in Alcobaça, meeting there N 1 (see N 1 for details).
 N 9  Cascais (N6) – SintraTorres VedrasAlenquer (N1) 98 km (61 mi) Crosses the northern region of Lisbon. Along with N 6 (LisbonCascais), N 1 (AlenquerVila Franca de Xira), N 10 (Vila Franca de XiraLisbon), and the riverside streets of Lisbon, it forms a ring road around the Lisbon region.
 N 10  AlmadaSetúbalVila Franca de XiraLisbon 141 km (88 mi) A ring road that connects the south bank of Tagus to Lisbon, via Marechal Carmona Bridge (Vila Franca de Xira).

From 1961, it classified the original route of N1 between Vila France de Xira and Lisbon.

 N 11  MontijoBarreiro 10 km (6.2 mi);
32 km (20 mi) projected
Short-distance road in the south bank of Tagus. The original plan included a connection from Barreiro to Trafaria which was never built.

It was renamed as R11.

 N 12  MatosinhosRio Tinto 17 km (11 mi) Oporto ring road, to be cvted into a boulevard.
 N 13  PortoViana do CasteloValença 115 km (71 mi) Road crossing the northwest region of Portugal, with an almost seaside route.

The first 5 km (3.1 mi) of this road, shared with N14, had been upgraded into a dual carriageway in the 1970s and are known as Via Norte.

 N 14  PortoBraga 56 km (35 mi) The first 5 km of this road, shared with N13, had been upgraded into a dual carriageway in the 1970s and are known as Via Norte.
 N 15  ErmesindeAmaranteVila RealMirandelaBragança 240 km (150 mi) The main road from Oporto to the region of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, until the construction of IP4.
 N 16  AveiroViseuGuardaVilar Formoso 224 km (139 mi) Connects Aveiro to the most-important border with Spain.

From the 1970s, the road was considered obsolete due to several kilometres of congested traffic on the approach to the border. As an alternative IP5 was built between 1983 and 1991, but this road proved to be highly dangerous and was cvted into an autoestrada, also known as A25.

 N 17  CoimbraCelorico da Beira (N16) 131 km (81 mi) Connects Coimbra with the Beira Alta region, crossing the outskirts of Serra da Estrela.

Popularly known as Estrada da Beira.

 N 18  GuardaCastelo BrancoPortalegreEstremozÉvoraBejaOuriqueErvidel (N2) 380 km (240 mi) Crosses the most important cities in the far east of Portugal, connects with N 2 in Ervidel.

Many branches were included on IP2.

1985 National Road Plan

[edit]
The A22 motorway, in the Algarve, was originally signed as IP1. During the 1980s and 1990s, only tolled highways were typically marked Axx, while the other highways were signed as IPxx or ICxx.

From the 1960s, many routes were assumed to be somewhat outdated, so in 1972, Brisa was created to manage a projected network of motorways, which by that time didn't reach a length of 100 km (62 mi). New sections of motorways were then built in the 1970s and the early 1980s, like the Vila Franca de XiraCarregado (1977), CarregadoAveiras de Cima (1980), Condeixa-a-NovaMealhada (1982, which permitted bypassing the city centre of Coimbra), Santa Maria da FeiraCarvalhos (1980) and Albergaria-a-VelhaSanta Maria da Feira (1983) sections; these would become part of the A1 motorway and the extension of the A2 motorway into Setúbal (between 1978 and 1979).

However, the whole road network was seen to be increasingly inadequate to properly serving the whole country. While Portugal was preparing to enter the EEC, the replacement for PRN 1945 was created by the Law 380/85 of 25 September 1985, the Plano Rodoviário Nacional de 1985 (English: 1985 National Roadway Plan) or PRN 1985.

The road network would again comprise the Rede Fundamental (English: Fundamental Network), composed of nine itinerários principais (principal routes), designated IP1 through IP9, which totalized 2,635 km (1,637 mi).

The non-motorway sections of the itinerários principais started to be identified with green background direction signs and green background IPx road numbers. In the late 1990s, although the background of the direction signs continued to be green, the IPx road numbers started to be put on red background rectangles.

Number Route Length (km)
 IP 1  ValençaBragaPortoAveiroCoimbraLeiriaSantarémLisbonMontijoSetúbalAljustrelFaroCastro Marim 734
 IP 2  PorteloBragançaGuardaCovilhãCastelo BrancoPortalegreÉvoraBejaFaro 564
 IP 3  Vila Verde da RaiaVila RealLamegoViseuCoimbraFigueira da Foz 279
 IP 4  PortoVila RealBragançaQuintanilha 237
 IP 5  AveiroViseuGuardaVilar Formoso 204
 IP 6  PenicheCaldas da RainhaRio MaiorSantarémTorres NovasAbrantesCastelo Branco 219
 IP 7  LisbonSetúbalÉvoraEstremozElvas – Caia 225
 IP 8  SinesSantiago do CacémBejaSerpaVila Verde de Ficalho 154
 IP 9  Viana do CasteloPonte de LimaBragaGuimarãesAmaranteVila Real 161

The itinerários principais was set to be of restricted access, forbidding pedestrian, animal, and bicycle traffic, but exceptions could be accepted, especially for sections resulting from the reclassification of former national roads into IP network.

Such a classification was proposed before the publication of PRN 1985.[20] In the early 1980s, the first branches of the future IP routes were built. These were a 12 km (7.5 mi) loop road alternative to N16 between Mangualde and Prime (Viseu) for IP5 route, built in 1983, and another branch built in 1981 that was integrated on the N2 route but later became part of IP3, between Oliveira do Mondego and Chamadouro when Aguieira Dam was built.

The road network also included the Rede Complementar (Complementary Network) of 24 itinerários complementares (IC, English: complementary routes) and other roads. The "other roads" were the former PRN 1945 national roads not set to be transformed into IP or IC, neither set for declassification from the national road network. In practice, the "other roads" continued to be signed as estradas nacionais (N or EN). The Complementary Network was 4,807 km (2,987 mi) long.

The non-motorway roads of the Rede Complementar were signed with white background direction signs.

The PRN 1985 established 24 itinerários complementares, designated IC1 through IC24, which totalled 2,439 km (1,516 mi):

No. Route Length (km)
 IC 1  LisbonTorres VedrasCaldas da RainhaLeiriaFigueira da FozAveiroOvarEspinhoPortoPóvoa de VarzimViana do CasteloValença 450
 IC 2  LisbonRio MaiorLeiriaCoimbraMealhadaSão João da MadeiraArgoncilhePorto 330
 IC 3  SetúbalPalmelaMontijoSalvaterra de MagosAlmeirimEntroncamentoTomarPenelaCondeixa- Coimbra (IP3) 0235
 IC 4  SinesLagosPortimãoFaro ?
 IC 5  Póvoa de Varzim (IC1) – FamalicãoGuimarãesFafeVila Pouca de AguiarMurçaVila FlorAlfândega da FéMogadouroMiranda do Douro (border with Spain) 131
 IC 6  Santa Comba Dão (IP3) – Venda de GalizesSeiaGouveia -Celorico da Beira (IP5) ?
 IC 7  CoimbraPenacovaVenda de GalizesCovilhã (IP2) ?
 IC 8  Figueira da Foz (IC1) – Pombal (IP1) – Figueiró dos VinhosPedrógão GrandeSertãProença-a-NovaCastelo Branco – Segura (IP2) 118
 IC 9  AlcobaçaNazaréMarinha GrandeLeiriaOurémTomar ?
 IC 10  Santarém (IP 1) – AlmeirimCorucheMontemor-o-NovoEstremoz (IP8) 151
 IC 11  Torres VedrasVila Franca de XiraPegõesMarateca (IP1) 053
 IC 12  Viseu (IP5) – Seia (IC6) – Covilhã (IP2) ?
 IC 13  Coina (IP7) – Montijo (IP1) – CorucheMoraPonte de SorAlter do ChãoCratoPortalegre ?
 IC 14  BarcelosBraga ?
 IC 15  LisbonOeirasCascais 025
 IC 16  Lisbon (CRIL – IC17) – AmadoraBelasAlto ColarideSintraCascais 027
 IC 17  Algés – BuracaOlival de BastoSacavém (IP1) 021
 IC 18  Caxias (IC15) – QueluzLouresAlverca (IP 1) 035
 IC 19  CoinaMontijoAlcochete ?
 IC 20  AlmadaCosta da Caparica 006
 IC 21  CoinaBarreiro 007
 IC 22  Olival Basto (IC17) – Montemor (CREL – IC18) 004
 IC 23  Ponte da Arrábida – Avenida de Fernão de MagalhãesPonte de Freixo – Avenida da República – IC1 021
 IC 24  Oporto (IC23) – Matosinhos – Moreira (IC1) ?

The whole network totalled 9,881 km (6,140 mi), with about 12,000 km (7,500 mi) of old PRN 1945 roads being declassified from the national road network.

As the PRN 1985 focused mainly on new roads to be built, no clear rules were established for a procedure regarding the old roads that were to be declassified. In practice, most of them continued to be managed by the national road agency, JAE, and continued to be designated estradas nacionais. Some of them were transferred to the management of local municipalities.

Until the early 1980s, the Portuguese motorways did not have a proper number, each being referred to by a name (with some sections that were part of an estrada nacional also using the respective Nxx number). The existing motorways at that time (all of them managed under concession) started to receive proper numbers of the type Axx. With the application of the PRN 1985, new motorways were built with a few of them being managed directly by JAE and not under concession like the majority. So, although all motorways were part of an IP or IC, only concessionated ones received the Axx number (whether tolled or not). This number was signalized and the IPxx or ICxx number was disused in the motorway signage. The other motorways – non-concessionated, and therefore, always non-tolled – were signalized with the IPxx or ICxx number. Until the 2000s, almost all motorways under concession were tolled, so during that period, a signed Axx number helped drivers know in advance whether a motorway was tolled.

All motorways were signed with blue background direction signs, independently of being part of the Rede Fundamental or the Rede Complementar.

In 1993, the reclassification of 600 km (370 mi) of roads in the IC network and about 1,700 km (1,100 mi) into other roads was proposed, but the optimizations of PRN 1985 were only realized with PRN 2000, which was initially proposed in 1996.

2000 National Road Plan

[edit]
Typical signage of an autoestrada (left) and a non-highway IP road (right).

In spite of its name, Plano Rodoviário Nacional de 2000 (English: 2000 National Road Plan) or PRN 2000 was approved in 1998 and was published by Law No. 222/98 of 17 July 1998. This was essentially an optimization of the previous PRN 1985, with the addition of about 1,500 km (930 mi) of roads into the National Network, and the creation of the Rede Regional (Regional Network) of about 5,000 km (3,100 mi) of roads, as well as the identification of a Rede Nacional de Autoestradas (National Motorway Network), that, however, overlapped with the IP and IC network. The plan includes 16,500 km (10,300 mi) of roads.

The so-called "other roads" of the PRN 1985 disappeared from the PRN 2000, with the designation estradas nacionais becoming official again. A new kind of road, the estradas regionais (regional roads) was also introduced.

The Road Network is defined as following:

  • Fundamental Network:
    • Itinerários principais 2,600 km (1,600 mi)
  • Complementary Network:
    • Itinerários complementares 3,016 km (1,874 mi)
    • Estradas nacionais 5,513 km (3,426 mi)
  • Regional Network:
    • Estradas regionais (sections of former estradas nacionais, which take the same numbering, i.e. ER 2 is a section of EN 2, if the road crosses more than one region, separate sections of the former National Road can be part of the Regional Network) c.5,000 km (3,100 mi)
  • Rede Nacional de Autoestradas (National Highway Network)
    • Autoestradas (always part of IP and IC network)

IP and IC roads may have other designations, especially those integrated with the National Highway Network, where the "A" designation is preferred on traffic signage, except for some city or suburban highways.

Since its approval, the PRN 2000 was updated twice (in 1999 and in 2003).

Current classification according PRN 2000

[edit]

Motorways

[edit]
A27 (Viana do CasteloPonte de Lima), in Minho region

Autoestrada is the Portuguese-language word for "motorway" or "freeway." Portugal has about 3,000 km (1,900 mi) of motorways,[21] crossing all the coast and connecting the main inland cities and towns. Several autoestradas are linked with the Spanish motorway system and, through Spain, to the rest of Europe.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Portugal was the country with the greatest development in the motorway network in the European Union. It had 316 km (196 mi) of motorways in 1990 and the number increased to 1,242 km (772 mi) by 1999 and 2,100 km (1,300 mi) by the end of 2007.[22]

Although administratively a separate motorway network exists, in practice each autoestrada overlaps part or all of an IP (Itinerário Principal or Main Itinerary) or an IC (Itinerário Complementar or Complementary Itinerary).[23] These are designated with an "A" code as well as an IP or an IC code, though they are typically only signalized by the A designation. In addition, many of these roads are part of the European road network, and so also carry an "E" designation, which may serve as reference for non-Portuguese drivers.

Number Designation Route Concurrency Length Constructed Concessionaire
 A 1  Autoestrada do Norte LisbonSantarémLeiriaCoimbraAveiroPorto IP 1 (Lisbon – Carvalhos)
IP 6 (Santarém/A 15 – Torres Novas/A 23
IC 1 (A 29 interchange – Porto)
IC 2 (Carvalhos – Arrábida-Porto)
IC 23 (Coimbrões-Gaia/A 44 – Arrábida-Porto/A 28)
303 1960–1991 Brisa
 A 2  Autoestrada do Sul Lisbon / Ponte 25 de Abril – Marateca – Alcácer do SalGrândolaOuriqueAlbufeira IP 1 (Palmela/A 12 – Albufeira)
IP 7 (Lisbon – Marateca/A 6-A 13)
240 1966–2002 Lusoponte (25 de Abril Bridge), Brisa
 A 3  Autoestrada do Minho PortoFamalicãoBragaPonte de LimaValença IP 11
IP 9 (Ponte de Lima/A 27 – Braga/A 11)
112 1989–1998 Brisa
 A 4  Autoestrada Transmontana PortoPenafielAmaranteVila RealMirandelaBragança – Quintanilha IP 4
IP 9 (Castelões/A 11 – Vila Real)
223 1990–2016 Ascendi
Brisa
Infraestruturas de Portugal
AEXXI
 A 5  Autoestrada do Estoril LisbonOeirasCascais IC 15 025 1944–1991 Brisa
 A 6  Autoestrada do Alentejo Marateca – ÉvoraEstremozElvas – Caia IP 7 159 1995–1999 Brisa
 A 7  Autoestrada do Alvão Vila do CondeFamalicãoGuimarãesFafeVila Pouca de Aguiar IC 5 100 1994–2007 Ascendi
 A 8  Autoestrada do Oeste LisboaCaldas da RainhaLeiriaA 1 IC 1 (Lisbon – Marinha Grande/A 17)
IC 17-CRIL (Km 0-km 2)
IC 36 (Marinha Grande/A 17 – Leiria/A 1)
138 1984–2011 AE do Atlântico
 A 8-1  Circular Oriental de Leiria (COL) Pousos (A 8/A 1) – IC 2 003 1990s as COL
 A 9  Circular Regional Exterior de Lisboa Caxias (National Stadium) – QueluzLouresAlverca IC 18 035 1994–1995 Brisa
 A 10  Autoestrada do Ribatejo BucelasArruda dos VinhosCarregadoBenavente IC 2 (Bucelas/A 9-CREL – Carregado)
IC 11 (Carregado – Benavente/A 13)
040 2003–2007 Brisa
 A 11  ApúliaBragaGuimarãesPenafiel IC 14 (Apúlia/A 28 – Braga/A 3)
IP 9 (Braga/A 3 – Castelões/A 4)
080 1998–2006 Ascendi
 A 12  Lisbon / Ponte Vasco da GamaMontijo -Setúbal IP 1 (Lisbon – Palmela/A 2)
IC 3 (Montijo – Setúbal)
041 1979–1998 Lusoponte (Vasco da Gama Bridge), Brisa
 A 13  Marateca – BenaventeSalvaterra de MagosAlmeirim -**- Chamusca -**- Golegã -**- Vila Nova da Barquinha -(to be upgraded into dual carriageway)- A 23 – TomarAvelarCondeixaCoimbra IC 3 (Coimbra – Canha/A 33)
IC 11 (Benavente/A 10 – Marateca/A 2-A 6)
163
(206)
2002–? Brisa (Almeirim-Marateca), Ascendi (A23-Coimbra)
 A 13-1  A1 – Condeixa – A 13 010 2012 Ascendi
 A 14  Autoestrada do Baixo Mondego Figueira da FozMontemor-o-VelhoCoimbra IP 3 040 1994–2002 Brisa
 A 15  ÓbidosRio MaiorSantarém – ** – Almeirim IP 6 (Óbidos/A 8-Santarém/A 1)
IC 10 (Santarém/A 1 – Almeirim)
051
(55)
1995–2001 AE do Atlântico
 A 16  LisbonPontinhaSintraAlcabideche IC 16 (Lisbon – Sintra)
IC 30 (Sintra – Alcabideche)
028 1995–2014 Ascendi
 A 17  Autoestrada do Litoral Centro Marinha GrandeFigueira da FozMiraAveiro IC 1 100 2004–2008 Brisa
Ascendi
 A 18  Torres Vedras – ** – Carregado IC 11 (27)
 A 19  Porto de Mós – Azóia – Leiria IC 2 016 2010–2011 AE do Litoral Oeste
 A 20  Circular Regional Interior do Porto CarvalhosPonte do Freixo – Francos IP 1 (Carvalhos – Antas-Porto/A 3)
IC 23 (Freixo-Porto – Francos-Porto/A 28)
017 1989–1995 AE do Douro Litoral
 A 21  Malveira – Ericeira 021 2005–2008 Mafratlântico
 A 22  Via do Infante de Sagres LagosPortimãoAlbufeiraFaroCastro Marim IP 1 (Tunes/A 2 – Castro Marim)
IC 4 (Lagos – Loulé)
133 1991–2003 Euroscut Algarve
 A 23  Autoestrada da Beira Interior Torres NovasAbrantesCastelo BrancoFundãoCovilhãGuarda IP 6 (Torres Novas/A 1 – Castelo Branco)
IP 2 (Fratel – Guarda/A 25)
217 1993–2003 Scutvias
 A 24  Autoestrada do Interior Norte Coimbra – ** – Mealhada – ** – ViseuPeso da RéguaLamegoVila RealChavesVila Verde da Raia IP 3 162
(227)
1998–2010 Norscut
 A 25  Autoestrada das Beiras Litoral e Alta AveiroViseuGuardaVilar Formoso – border with Spain IP 5 199 1991–2021 Ascendi
 A 26  Autoestrada do Baixo Alentejo SinesSantiago do CacémBeja IP 8
IC 33 (Sines – Santiago do Cacém)
011
(95)
1972–2012 AE do Baixo Alentejo
 A 27  Viana do CasteloPonte de Lima IP 9 024 2001–2005 AE do Norte Litoral
 A 28  Autoestrada do Litoral Norte PortoViana do CasteloCaminha – ** – Valença IC 1
IC 23 (Arrábida-Porto/A 1 – Francos-Porto)
093
(123)
1960–2008 AE do Norte Litoral
 A 29  Autoestrada da Costa de Prata AngejaOvarEspinhoVila Nova de Gaia IC 1 053 1994–2009 Ascendi
 A 30  Sacavém – Santa Iria de Azóia IC 2 010 1998 Ascendi
 A 31  Variante a Coimbra Coimbra (south) – Coimbra (north) IC 2 005 1991
 A 32  Autoestrada do Entre Douro e Vouga Oliveira de AzeméisVila Nova de Gaia IC 2 035 2011 AE do Douro Litoral
 A 33  Circular Regional Interna da Península de Setúbal Funchalinho – Coina – Montijo – ** – New Lisbon Airoport – ** – Canha IC 3 (Montijo – Canha)
IC 32 (Funchalinho – Montijo)
037
(59)
1998–2012 AE do Baixo Tejo
 A 34  A 1 – Pombal IC 8 005 1999
 A 35  Mira – ** – Mealhada – ** – Mortágua – ** – Santa Comba DãoCanas de Senhorim – ** – Mangualde N 234 (1995–1998)
IC 12 (1998–present)
019
(94)
1995–1998
 A 36  Circular Regional Interior de Lisboa AlgésOdivelasSacavém IC 17-CRIL 021 1995–2011 Ascendi
 A 37  Radial de Sintra LisbonQueluzSintra N 249 (1985–1994)
IC 19 (1994–present)
016 1985–1994 Ascendi
 A 38  Via Rápida da Caparica AlmadaCosta da Caparica IC 20 006 1966 AE do Baixo Tejo
 A 39  Via Rápida do Barreiro Coina – Barreiro – ** – Lisbon IC 21 007
(23)
1980–1984
 A 40  Olival Basto – Odivelas – Montemor IC 22 004 1998 Ascendi
 A 41  Circular Regional Exterior do Porto PerafitaMaiaAguiar de SousaArgoncilheEspinho IC 24 062 early 1990s – 2007 Ascendi
AE do Douro Litoral
 A 42  Ermida (A 41) – Paços de FerreiraLousada IC 25 020 2005–2006 Ascendi
 A 43  PortoGondomarAguiar de Sousa (A 41) IC 29 009 2005–2011 AE do Douro Litoral
 A 44  Gulpilhares (A 29) – Vila Nova de GaiaOliveira do Douro (A 20) IC 23 009 2000–2007 Ascendi
AE Douro Litoral
 VRI  Via Regional Interior Francisco Sá Carneiro AirportCustóias (A 4) 003 2006 Ascendi

Label:

  • – = in use
  • – = under construction
  • – ** – = planned

Tolls and taxation

[edit]

As of 2013, 84% of Portuguese motorways have tolls,[24] although there are also some toll-free highways, mostly in urban areas, like those of Greater Lisbon and Greater Oporto. Tolls charge drivers by the distance they travel. Almost all motorways are managed by private concessionaries, such as Brisa and Ascendi. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Government of Portugal created seven shadow toll concessions, the SCUT toll (Portagens sem cobrança aos utilizadores, tolls with no charges for the users). In those concessions it was included more than 900 kilometres (560 mi) of motorways and highways, some of them already built, others which were built in the following years. However, due to economical and political reasons, the shadow toll concept was abolished between 2010 and 2011, with electronic toll equipment being installed in these motorways, to charge their users. Having only electronic tolls, former SCUT motorways can now only be used by vehicles equipped with electronic payment devices or vehicles registered in the system. In the 2000s (i.e. previous to the introduction of tolls in SCUT highways), 35% of the Portuguese motorway network was toll-free, and Portugal was already considered one of the European countries with more toll roads.[25][26] Following the introduction of tolls in former SCUT highways, 84% of the network had tolls, i.e., only 16% was toll-free.[24]

Since 1991 there is an electronic payment system for tolls in Portugal called Via Verde.[27] Under this system, the driver installs a small device on the front windshield that communicates electronically with Brisa (the company responsible for managing most of the motorways in Portugal). Since the payment is electronic, it is quick to enter or leave the motorway, avoiding payment lines (which are still available for drivers without Via Verde). This system has won several prizes for its innovative form of paying for services.[not specific enough to verify]

Principal routes

[edit]
Vila Franca das Naves exit of IP2 non-motorway Celorico da Beira and Trancoso section.
Non-motorway section of IP3, between Coimbra and Viseu.

There are 9 itinerários principais (principal routes), signalized by the prefix IP, designated IP1 through IP9.[28]

IP1 and IP2 form cross-national north–south routes. The first runs along the west part of the country then ends in the southeast border of Castro Marim/Vila Real de Santo António; the second runs along the east part, roughly along the border with Spain.

All other routes follow a west–east course, with the exception of IP3 which runs mostly north–south.

All itinerários principais, except IP6 and IP9, are connected with the Spanish border. IP2 reaches Spain by route of N103-7, in the region of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro.

Number Route Length
 IP 1  ValençaBragaPortoAveiroCoimbraLeiriaSantarémLisbonMontijoSetúbalAljustrelFaroCastro Marim 734 km (456 mi)
 IP 2  PorteloBragançaGuardaCovilhãCastelo BrancoPortalegreÉvoraBejaOuriqueFaro 564 or 728 km (350 or 452 mi)
(including N103-7 Portelo–Bragança and IP1/A2-IP1/IC4/A22-IC4/N-125-4 Castro Verde–Faro concurrencies)
 IP 3  Vila Verde da RaiaVila RealLamegoViseuCoimbraFigueira da Foz 279 km (173 mi)
 IP 4  PortoVila RealBragançaQuintanilha 237 km (147 mi)
 IP 5  AveiroViseuGuardaVilar Formoso 204 km (127 mi)
 IP 6  PenicheCaldas da RainhaRio MaiorSantarémTorres NovasAbrantesCastelo Branco 219 km (136 mi)
 IP 7  LisbonSetúbalÉvoraEstremozElvas – Caia 225 km (140 mi)
 IP 8  SinesSantiago do CacémBejaSerpaVila Verde de Ficalho 154 km (96 mi)
 IP 9  Viana do CasteloPonte de LimaBragaGuimarãesAmaranteVila Real 161 km (100 mi)

Complementary routes

[edit]
IC17 is a dual carriageway highway that encircles Lisbon. Legally, it is included in the motorway network of the 2000 National Road Plan, but the road is not signalized as such.
Typical signage of a non-motorway IC road, IC27 in the Algarve.

There are 37 itinerários complementares (complementary routes), signalized by the letters IC, designated IC1 through IC37.[29]

Number Route Length (km)
 IC 1  ValençaViana do CasteloPóvoa de VarzimPortoEspinhoOvarAveiroFigueira da FozLeiriaCaldas da RainhaTorres VedrasLisbonMaratecaAlcácer do SalGrândolaOuriqueGuia (N125) 737
 IC 2  LisbonRio MaiorLeiriaCoimbraMealhadaSão João da MadeiraArgoncilhePorto 330
 IC 3  SetúbalPalmelaMontijo -**- CanhaSalvaterra de MagosAlmeirim -**- EntroncamentoTomarPenelaCondeixaCoimbra -**- (IP3) 177 / 235
 IC 4  Sines -**- LagosPortimãoFaro 085 / ?
 IC 5  Póvoa de Varzim (IC1) – FamalicãoGuimarãesFafeVila Pouca de AguiarMurçaVila FlorAlfândega da FéMogadouroMiranda do Douro (border with Spain) 235
 IC 6  Coimbra – IP3 – Porto da Raiva/Aguieira DamVenda de Galizes -**- Covilhã (IP2) 029 / 87
(excluding IP3 concurrency)
 IC 7  Venda de Galizes (IC6) -**- Seia -**- Gouveia -**- Fornos de Algodres (IP5) 040
 IC 8  Figueira da Foz (IC1) – PombalFigueiró dos VinhosPedrógão GrandeSertãProença-a-NovaCastelo Branco – Segura (IP 2) 119
 IC 9  NazaréAlcobaça – IC2 – Porto de MósBatalhaFátimaOurémTomar + Abrantes -**- Ponte de Sor (IC13) 070 / 104
(excluding IC2 concurrency)
 IC 10  Santarém (IP1) – Almeirim -**- Coruche -**- Montemor-o-Novo (IP7) 011 / 90
 IC 11  (PenicheLourinhã -)[30] Torres Vedras (IC1) -**- CarregadoPegõesMarateca (IP 1) 063 / 90
 IC 12  Mira (IC1) – Anadia (IP 1) – MortáguaSanta Comba DãoCarregal do SalNelasMangualde (IP5) 019 / 94
 IC 13  Montijo (IP1) -**- Coruche -**- Mora -**- Ponte de Sor -**- Alter do ChãoCratoPortalegre -**- Spain 028 / ?
 IC 14  Apúlia (IC1) – BarcelosBraga 029
 IC 15  LisbonOeirasCascais 025
 IC 16  Lisbon (IC17) – AmadoraBelasAlto ColarideSintra 020
(excluding IC18 concurrency)
 IC 17  AlgésBuracaOlival de BastoSacavém (IP1) 021
 IC 18  Caxias (IC15) – QueluzLouresAlverca (IP 1) 035
 IC 19  Lisbon (IC17) – QueluzSintra (N249) 016
 IC 20  AlmadaCosta da Caparica 006
 IC 21  CoinaBarreiro 007
 IC 22  Olival Basto (IC17) – Montemor (IC18) 004
 IC 23  Ponte da Arrábida – Avenida de Fernão de MagalhãesPonte de Freixo – Avenida da República – IC1 021
 IC 24  PerafitaMaiaAguiar de SousaArgoncilheEspinho 062
 IC 25  Ermida (IC24) – Paços de FerreiraLousada 020
 IC 26  Amarante (IP 4) -**- Régua – (IP3/A24) – Lamego -**- Tarouca -**- Moimenta da Beira -**- Sernancelhe -**- Trancoso (IP2) ?
 IC 27  Beja (IP2) -**- MértolaCastro Marim (IP1) 033 / 93
 IC 28  Viana do Castelo (IC1) – Ponte de Lima - Lindoso 038 / 69
 IC 29  OportoGondomarAguiar de Sousa (IC24) 016
 IC 30  Sintra (IC16) – Alcabideche (IC15) 008
 IC 31  Castelo Branco (IP2) -**- Termas de Monfortinho 056
 IC 32  FunchalinhoCoinaMontijo 040
 IC 33  SinesGrândola – IP1/A2 – IP8/A26 -**- Santa Margarida do Sado -**- Évora (IP 7) 038 / 106
 IC 34  Vila Nova de Foz Côa (IP2) – AlmendraBarca de Alva (border with Spain) Project cancelled in 2009
 IC 35  Penafiel -**- Entre-Os-Rios Bridge -**- Castelo de PaivaArouca (-**- Vale de Cambra -**-)[31] Sever do Vouga -**- Talhadas (IP5/A25) 004 / 70
 IC 36  Marinha Grande (IC1) – Leiria (IP1) 011
 IC 37  Viseu (IP5) -**- Nelas -**- Seia (IC7) 031

Note: Italics and -**- refers to unbuilt sections.

National routes

[edit]

Estradas Nacionais (national routes) belong to the Complementary Network. They have three main functions: connect cities not linked by an IP or IC highway, connect municipal seats, borders, ports and airports to the rest of the state-owned network and provide free alternatives to toll motorways. Examples for each of these functions can be made: N103 links Braga, Chaves and Braganza, N256 and N256-1 link the border of São Leonardo and the municipal seats of Mourão and Reguengos de Monsaraz to IP2 expressway and N4 provides a free alternative to A6 toll motorway. National roads kept the same numbering they had in the 1945 Plan, with the prefix N, and are administered by the agency Estradas de Portugal. In the 1985 Plan, these were generically referred as "other roads".

Many of the 1945 Plan's estradas nacionais were not included in the post-1985 highway plans and were declassified from the National Road Network in anticipation of their transfer to municipal authorities. Although some were transferred, many municipalities did not assume responsibility for the management of these roads; a number of them continue to be administered by the national roads agency. Despite being declassified, most of the roads retained their designations, keeping their old numberings and N prefixes, including those that are administered by the municipalities.

Regional roads

[edit]
Signage in R254 (Évora-Viana do Alentejo).

Estradas regionais (regional roads) integrate the Regional Network. This road class was created in 1998, with the approval of the 2000 National Roadway Plan. According to Law No. 222/98 "the public road communications with supra-municipal interest, and complementary to the National Road Network, are carried by Regional Roads".

Each regional road maintains the number of the national road or municipal road that originated it. Regional roads are represented by the letter R. Because, in 1998, it was rejected in a referendum, a reform which consisted of the creation of eight administrative regions in mainland Portugal, nowadays, some regional roads are administered by Estradas de Portugal, while others are administered by Portuguese municipalities.

Municipal roads

[edit]

Estradas municipais (municipal roads) are represented by the letter M and are administered by Portuguese municipalities. These routes were created in 1961, since which time many branches of national routes had been municipalized. Some municipal routes created by the 1985 Plan were renamed as "national roads" or "regional roads" in the 2000 Plan.

European routes

[edit]

Portugal is crossed by eight European routes:

Number Route
 E 1  LarneBelfastNewryDundalkDroghedaDublinRosslare ... A CoruñaPontevedraValençaPortoLisbonAlbufeiraVila Real de Santo AntónioHuelvaSeville
 E 80  LisbonAveiroVilar FormosoValladolidBurgosSan SebastiánToulouseNiceGenoa – Rome – Pescara ... DubrovnikPodgoricaPristinaNišSofiaPlovdivIstanbulİzmitGeredeAmasyaErzurumGürbulak – border with Iran
 E 82  OportoVila RealBragançaZamoraTordesillas
 E 90  LisbonÉvoraElvasMadridBarcelona ... Mazara del ValloPalermoMessina ... Reggio CalabriaMetapontoTarantoBrindisi ... IgoumenitsaIoanninaKozaniThessalonikiAlexandroupoliGelibolu ... LapsekiBursaAnkaraAdanaNusaybinKhabur River – border with Iraq
 E 801  VerínChavesVila RealLamegoViseuCoimbra
 E 802  BragançaGuardaCastelo BrancoPortalegreÉvoraBejaOurique
 E 805  FamalicãoGuimarãesVila Pouca de AguiarChaves
 E 806  Torres NovasAbrantesCastelo BrancoGuarda

See also

[edit]
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ The Global Competitiveness Report 2014–2015, World Economic Forum, p. 429
  2. ^ The Global Competitiveness Report 2017–2018, World Economic Forum, p. 243
  3. ^ The Global Competitiveness Report 2017–2018, World Economic Forum, p. 333
  4. ^ http://www.avisbestroad.com/ Avis Best Road
  5. ^ Pacheco 2001, pp. 101, 104
  6. ^ Pacheco 2001, pp. 104–106
  7. ^ Pacheco 2001, p. 111
  8. ^ a b "Decreto n.º 12100 de 31 de julho de 1926" [Decree 12,100 from 31 July 1926] (in Portuguese). Diário do Governo — I série. 11 August 1926. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Decreto n.º 16075 de 30 de Setembro de 1928" [Decree 16,075 from 30 September 1928] (in Portuguese). Diário do Governo — I série. 26 October 1928. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  10. ^ Pacheco 2001, p. 121
  11. ^ "Decreto-Lei n.º 23239 de 20 de Novembro de 1933" [Decree 23,239 from 20 November 1933] (in Portuguese). Diário do Governo — I série. 20 November 1933. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  12. ^ a b Pacheco 2001, p. 126
  13. ^ "Decreto-Lei n.º 34593" [Decree-Law 34,593] (in Portuguese). Diário do Governo — I série. 11 May 1945. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  14. ^ Lei nº 2037 from August 19th, 1949 – Estatuto das Estradas Nacionais (en: National Roads' Statutes)
  15. ^ Lei nº 2110 August 19th, 1961 – Regulamento Geral das Estradas e Caminhos Municipais (en: General Regulation on Municipal Roads and Pathways)
  16. ^ Decreto-Lei nº 42271 from May 20th, 1959 – Municipal Roads classification
  17. ^ Decreto-Lei nº 45552 from January 30th, 1964 – Municipal Pathways classification
  18. ^ a b Zúquete, Eduardo (September 2016). "Testemunho histórico do Eng. Eduardo Zúquete sobre os transportes terrestres" [Historical testimony of Engineer Eduardo Zúquete on the terrestrial transportation] (in Portuguese). ADFERSIT. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  19. ^ http://www.mediotejo.net/municipios-do-medio-tejo-integram-nucleo-fundador-da-rota-da-en2/ Newspaper report about the signature of Rota da Estrada Nacional 2 project. Médio Tejo Newspaper, Nov, 14th 2015
  20. ^ Decreto-Lei 64/83 from February, 3.
  21. ^ "Rede Rodoviária". www.estradasdeportugal.pt. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  22. ^ Jorge Flores (June 2002). Sempre a subir. Automotor. (in Portuguese)
  23. ^ Estradas de Portugal – PRN 2000 – Plano Rodoviário Nacional – Rede Rodoviária Nacional – AEs (IPs e ICs) (in Portuguese)
  24. ^ a b "Relatório de Monitorização da Rede Rodoviária Nacional 2012 e 2013" [Monitorization Report of the National Road Network 2012-2013] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Instituto de Mobilidade e dos Transportes. June 2014. p. 20. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  25. ^ "Portugal é dos países com mais portagens" [Portugal is one of the countries with more toll roads] (in Portuguese). TVI24. 25 May 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  26. ^ "Portugal é o quarto país da Europa com mais quilómetros de portagens" [Portugal is the fourth country in Europe with more kilometers of toll roads] (in Portuguese). Público. 3 August 2002. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  27. ^ "Payment systems". www.portugaltolls.com. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  28. ^ Estradas de Portugal – PRN 2000 – Plano Rodoviário Nacional – Classificação da Rede – IPs
  29. ^ Estradas de Portugal – PRN 2000 – Plano Rodoviário Nacional – Classificação da Rede – ICs
  30. ^ Project left due to heavy impact on agribuisness http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/ambiente/estradas/tracado-do-ic11-chumbado-por-causa-da-agricultura
  31. ^ Project set to be left