[S] Swedish Motorways • Motorvägar i Sverige [Archive] - Page 4

BWG95

December 9th, 2010, 03:09 PM

120km/h also at the E4 Linköping-Mjölby. (My favorite motorway) About 2 years ago this new speed was introduced on some routes, prior speed was 110km/h. This is the usual speedlimit of motorways in sweden.

In Denmark it's 130km/h and those roads are not as straight as the swedish ones, also the flow of traffic is much higher.

On the 120km/h routes most motorist tend to be speeding, usually +10 to +20 km/h faster.

If the speed limit was 130km/h here, motorists would probably be driving at 150km/h.

No, they probably wouldn't, since most people would be fully content with 130 km/h on the motorways. Even now, I haven't heard any complaints from people I know about low speed limits. But my opinion is that it could be higher.

Nikolaj

December 10th, 2010, 02:18 PM

No, they probably wouldn't, since most people would be fully content with 130 km/h on the motorways. Even now, I haven't heard any complaints from people I know about low speed limits. But my opinion is that it could be higher.

Agree. A good example is the Danish motorways where we have a general speed limit of 130 km/h. However the average recorded speed on 130 km/h sections is only around 122-123 km/h, whereas on the sections signed with 110 km/h the average recorded speed is approx. 117 km/h. 130 km/h seems to be a fully accepted speed, which very few exceeds, whereas 110 km/h seems to be on the low side of what is accepted.

ChrisZwolle

December 10th, 2010, 02:44 PM

^^ Indeed.

There is no such thing as "Vmax+20 km/h", as some opponents of speed limit raises suggest. People want do drive a speed that feels credible and comfortable for the road layout. 110 km/h is no such speed, but 120 - 130 is better. Of course you always have people who drive faster than the limit, but the majority really doesn't drive +20 km/h by default. This only happens when the speed limits are too low on a large scale, for example in the Netherlands, where V85 speeds that are 30 km/h over the limit are not uncommon.

BWG95

December 11th, 2010, 09:00 PM

Then of course, there are also those wo drive like only 100 km/h on Swedish motorways, even though it is 110 or sometimes even 120.

Magnus Brage

December 11th, 2010, 10:06 PM

People want do drive a speed that feels credible and comfortable for the road layout. 110 km/h is no such speed, but 120 - 130 is better. Of course you always have people who drive faster than the limit, but the majority really doesn't drive +20 km/h by default.

I think It's enough if one motorist drives +20km/h by default if he causes an accident.

Optimal speed on motorway depends on

:Standard of road
:Traffic Flow
:Type of Car
:Straightness of the road
:weather conditions

As an example the E4 Linköping-Mjölby

It's a straight road of high standard with low traffic flow (almost empty at times) not to compare with motorways in mainland europe.

If I have a modern medium size type of car which most swedes have I'd rather drive at 140km/h than 120km/h.

If the speed limit is 120km/h i will probably be driving at the speed of 120-130km/h in fear of fines and loosing drivers license.

BUT if they changed speed limit to 130km/h people would probably drive up to 140km/h on a sunny day.

I drove that road both when speed limit was 110km/h and now when it is 120km/h and I see that the motorists are driving a lot faster. At times I reach 140km/h now If I did that when the limit was 110km/h I would loose my license. There is a limit of +30km/h for suspended license. So now I can reach the speed of 149km/h without loosing my license and people know that.

Speeding is mainly because modern cars are made for higher speed than 120km/h.

A modern car is comfortable even up to speeds as 180-200km/h.

Me and a friend drove (ok my friend sat behind the wheel:) ) a BMW V8 at 230km/h and that felt hazardous on a motorway outside Stockholm, but let's say we drove it at 160km/h on a rural motorway on a sunny afternoon with less traffic we would probably not have taken notice because the car is well isolated and the suspension will take care of any minor bumps that would occur on the high standard roads.

Of Course that type of speed would be less comfortable on a curvy continental autobahn with intense trafficflow and lots of intersections.

In north sweden there are empty straight roads reminding of air-fields, if the speed limit was raised - no doubt people would be driving as fast as possible.

Morsue

December 12th, 2010, 05:06 PM

Magnus Brage

December 12th, 2010, 05:20 PM

Then again, driving at very high speeds is not very economical. I drove my car at 210 km/h outside Frankfurt with a consumption of 19 l/100 km. At 110 km/h that number is 7 l/100 km, so people won't afford to travel at those speeds for very long.

Ok, men är du VD med ny BMW på väg till viktigt möte, så är dom där 1,9l/milen småpotatis. Tid=pengar.

Ju högre tillåten hastighet desto fler som kör ännu snabbare än vad de skulle ha gjort med lägre hastighetsbegränsing.

Uppsala

December 12th, 2010, 05:21 PM

^^
English please! I speak Swedish but many here don't understand it.

Aphelion

December 29th, 2010, 08:53 PM

Updated projects list, click here (http://withstand.thefalloftime.com/road/). The table is sortable. Feel free to comment. :)

Danielk2

December 29th, 2010, 08:59 PM

Does a line in the current road space mean that there is currently no road, or that there's no information?

Aphelion

December 29th, 2010, 09:51 PM

Does a line in the current road space mean that there is currently no road, or that there's no information?

No information, I will dig it up when I get the time. :)

Schweden

December 29th, 2010, 11:18 PM

Great list! :)

Schweden

January 6th, 2011, 05:50 PM

A video of the new E18, bypass Hummelsta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiKu2_FtuGo

metasmurf

January 7th, 2011, 10:31 AM

A video of the new E18, bypass Hummelsta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiKu2_FtuGo

Looks very good, although the shoulders look a bit narrow. Is it one of them 18,5m narrow motorways?

keber

January 7th, 2011, 07:12 PM

Really strange. So wide median but so narrow shoulder.

Uppsala

January 7th, 2011, 07:36 PM

Really strange. So wide median but so narrow shoulder.

Most of the new motorways in Sweden have very narrow shoulders. They say it cost less money to build a motorway like that.

One interesting thing is that is something political with this too. Some political parties don’t think it is political correct to build a full size motorway. So first they wanted to build 2+1-roads instead. But now they building real motorways but with narrow shoulders, like a compromise.

ChrisZwolle

January 7th, 2011, 07:42 PM

Narrow shoulders cost lives. Emergency services cannot reach the site of an accident quickly when there is a traffic jam. That's why you need at least 3 m wide shoulders. If you want to be flexible during road works, 3.5 - 4.0 m shoulders are preferred, so you can work with a 4-0 system instead of a 2-0 or 1-2 system which reduces capacity.

Kjello0

January 7th, 2011, 11:09 PM

If the alternative is 2+1 roads I for sure go for Motorways without shoulders. Though I agree in principle that all motorways should have shoulders.

Aphelion

January 8th, 2011, 07:28 AM

Looks very good, although the shoulders look a bit narrow. Is it one of them 18,5m narrow motorways?

All new motorways, regardless of cross-section, seem to get a 2 m shoulder.

metasmurf

January 8th, 2011, 08:58 AM

All new motorways, regardless of cross-section, seem to get a 2 m shoulder.

I wonder how much less the cost might be. Are 2m of extra asphalt so much more expensive that it's justifiable?

ChrisZwolle

January 8th, 2011, 11:05 AM

If you have 3.5+3.5+2 m lanes+shoulder, and you increase it by another 2 m, your asphalt cost increases around 20%.

2 m is too narrow. 2.5 m too, fire trucks are 2.5 m wide and if there is a guardrail next to it, they can hardly pass through. 3 m is the minimum in my opinion, so fire trucks can pass and trucks can use it in case of breakdowns.

Aphelion

January 8th, 2011, 11:40 AM

Many newer motorways are built in rural less trafficed areas, which probably plays a part... The E22 motorway from Bromölla to Sölve was completed in 1995. In 2006 the AADT was 12.000 - thus, 2 m was seen as enough of a shoulder.

Ingenioren

January 8th, 2011, 02:53 PM

All new motorways, regardless of cross-section, seem to get a 2 m shoulder.

There are some motorways built with no shoulder, here is one long section with no shoulder on E6 opened in 2003(i think.)
http://maps.google.no/?ie=UTF8&ll=58.491989,11.575985&spn=0,0.15398&z=13&layer=c&cbll=58.492187,11.575656&panoid=mN1joNgt4uQIDKZ5c8H3pw&cbp=12,150.81,,0,16.74

metasmurf

January 8th, 2011, 03:27 PM

There are some motorways built with no shoulder, here is one long section with no shoulder on E6 opened in 2003(i think.)
http://maps.google.no/?ie=UTF8&ll=58.491989,11.575985&spn=0,0.15398&z=13&layer=c&cbll=58.492187,11.575656&panoid=mN1joNgt4uQIDKZ5c8H3pw&cbp=12,150.81,,0,16.74

According to this article: http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=104&artikel=2470161 , shoulders were supposed to be added due to a number of fatal accidents. However, I don't know if shoulders actually have been added or not.

Grisent

January 8th, 2011, 04:25 PM

Was the E18 shoulder really 2 m wide? To me it looked even less than that; but maybe that's just how it seems in the video.

I'd say 2 metres is not even enough to safely pull up when your car breaks down.

Shifty2k5

January 8th, 2011, 04:46 PM

According to this article: http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=104&artikel=2470161 , shoulders were supposed to be added due to a number of fatal accidents. However, I don't know if shoulders actually have been added or not.

The google maps car apparently drove by when they were widening the road, so I found some pics for you..

Finished shoulder on the other side and no shoulder on the photo side.
http://tinyurl.com/3akuwkc

Finished shoulders:

http://tinyurl.com/35wl7bg

keber

January 9th, 2011, 10:47 AM

Most of the new motorways in Sweden have very narrow shoulders. They say it cost less money to build a motorway like that.
That's true, if you reduce median width to few meters, but in this case definitely no.

keber

January 9th, 2011, 10:50 AM

If you have 3.5+3.5+2 m lanes+shoulder, and you increase it by another 2 m, your asphalt cost increases around 20%.
Which is only a small fraction of total cost. The costliest are earth works and objects.

Schweden

January 9th, 2011, 09:37 PM

Magnus Brage

January 10th, 2011, 08:41 AM

Safety seems to be the most important part these days, yet Trafikverket builds motorways with small shoulders. We get crappy 2+1 roads (not a fan of those) on every major road in the country but we can't even build motorways properly.

The old E4 Linköping-Vikingstad is now a 110km/h 2+1 road. I prefer that instead of hazardous overhauls on a wide 1+1 road. Ofcourse you could get stuck behind a slow lorry, but that is only for a short distance.

Also Riksväg 34 Linköping-Motala has some distances of 2+1 roads, which makes driving comfortable, whith no oncoming traffic to worry about.

The number of vehicles of traffic on many swedish roads are to low to admit full motorway status, that is the reason for 2+1 roads, these are the safe alternative to wide 1+1 110km/h roads. High speed-traffic may be blocked and slowed down by other vehicles for short distances but safety is more important than that.

riiga

January 10th, 2011, 11:17 PM

The old E4 Linköping-Vikingstad is now a 110km/h 2+1 road. I prefer that instead of hazardous overhauls on a wide 1+1 road. Ofcourse you could get stuck behind a slow lorry, but that is only for a short distance.

However, since they converted it, you can't longer bike along this road, which is a shame. 2+1 roads only improves safety for motorized vehicles. I think Trafikverket should be required to construct a pedestrian/bike path just beside the road when they make it a 2+1 road. (Not if it's a new stretch though)

Also Riksväg 34 Linköping-Motala has some distances of 2+1 roads, which makes driving comfortable, whith no oncoming traffic to worry about.

Most of the 2+1 part is still without a center crash barrier, and was constructed in the early 90s. And I still wonder why there hasn't been any attempt to re-align Rv 36 (34) to south of Boren, since that would mean a 4 km shorter distance, as well as easier terrain and solve the problem of bypassing the small villages along the current road...

Schweden

January 12th, 2011, 06:18 PM

ChrisZwolle

January 12th, 2011, 06:30 PM

I may be able to clinch ALL of E4 this summer. I'm planning a roadtrip up north.

Shifty2k5

January 12th, 2011, 07:30 PM

I may be able to clinch ALL of E4 this summer. I'm planning a roadtrip up north.

Trust me Chris, go for it!

I live in the south of Sweden and until this summer I had never been north of Stockholm. So me and two buddies of mine decided to go hike at Norra Kusten (just north of Norra Kusten bron) and we did a 1-day roadtrip from Helsingborg to Örnsköldsvik all along the E4, approx 1100 kilometers.

We're all big motorway fans and all that, but it's not until you hit Gävle and the 2+1 roads and the regular highways that the landscape get truly stunning. Now, I've driven thru the desert from Las Vegas to San Fransisco on US95, I've traveled with amtrack from New Orleans across the south to Los Angeles and I've driving from Sweden to the south of Italy thru the alps, but the E4 along the baltic coast is in my opinion the most beautiful stretch of road that I have ever driven, I strongly recommend it!

My two cents :lol:

Sweden really lacks rest stops with gas stations and maybe a restaurant. Now, when our motorway network is fairly large, it is being used for long distance travelling. To make it easier for drivers and truck drivers to find good service, Trafikverket should include rest stops with gas stations along our major motorway stretches. Now, you need to look for gas station signs along the motorway exits and then you won't get a full rest stop, you'll only get a gas station and maybe a McDonald's.

This exists in most of Europe and even (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=59.514789,10.201181&spn=0.004044,0.009645&z=17&layer=c&cbll=59.514884,10.201089&panoid=n3gkp3OpU95RvemzR7fRrg&cbp=12,164.68,,0,5.5) in (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=59.900355,10.584609&spn=0.004019,0.009645&z=17&layer=c&cbll=59.900355,10.584609&panoid=ujxblmGktOEt__K5mLafHQ&cbp=12,73.5,,0,7.2) Norway (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=59.424329,10.707582&spn=0.002038,0.004823&z=18&layer=c&cbll=59.424266,10.707686&panoid=9_VbZWoF2ivliKfIlEMS9A&cbp=12,12.52,,0,5.6) (!).

Not really sure what you mean about that. I think Rasta is a pretty good example of a restaurant/gasstation establishment that you would commonly see when driving on the Swedish motorway network.

Schweden

January 12th, 2011, 08:54 PM

Not really sure what you mean about that. I think Rasta is a pretty good example of a restaurant/gasstation establishment that you would commonly see when driving on the Swedish motorway network.

You see Rasta commonly? Also, Rasta isnt always easy to access from the motorway.

kanterberg

January 14th, 2011, 01:12 AM

Sweden really lacks rest stops with gas stations and maybe a restaurant. Now, when our motorway network is fairly large, it is being used for long distance travelling. To make it easier for drivers and truck drivers to find good service, Trafikverket should include rest stops with gas stations along our major motorway stretches. Now, you need to look for gas station signs along the motorway exits and then you won't get a full rest stop, you'll only get a gas station and maybe a McDonald's.

This exists in most of Europe and even (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=59.514789,10.201181&spn=0.004044,0.009645&z=17&layer=c&cbll=59.514884,10.201089&panoid=n3gkp3OpU95RvemzR7fRrg&cbp=12,164.68,,0,5.5) in (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=59.900355,10.584609&spn=0.004019,0.009645&z=17&layer=c&cbll=59.900355,10.584609&panoid=ujxblmGktOEt__K5mLafHQ&cbp=12,73.5,,0,7.2) Norway (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=59.424329,10.707582&spn=0.002038,0.004823&z=18&layer=c&cbll=59.424266,10.707686&panoid=9_VbZWoF2ivliKfIlEMS9A&cbp=12,12.52,,0,5.6) (!).

I think it's hard to blame Trafikverket, there are plenty of such rest stops available. Most gas station- and restaurant owners just prefer to establish their services by an exit, which isn't hard to understand when you consider the low AADT on most stretches. It makes more sense to put the gas station by an exit, especially one for a fairly busy national road. That way you get customers from both directions of the motorway and the national road.

However, there are several rest stops out there with the layout you prefer, where you'll find gas stations and restaurants which are only accessible from the motorway. A few examples:

Herrbeta, south of Linköping
http://maps.google.se/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=sv&geocode=&q=herrbeta&sll=58.916834,17.367239&sspn=0.02158,0.077162&g=sillekrog&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Herrbeta,+Link%C3%B6ping,+%C3%96sterg%C3%B6tlands+L%C3%A4n&ll=58.480114,15.869979&spn=0.000683,0.002411&z=19&layer=c&cbll=58.480117,15.869628&panoid=UDIa-ZA9EBS5wh1Bo0wIMQ&cbp=12,95.57,,0,4.6

Sillekrog, north of Nyköping
http://maps.google.se/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=sv&geocode=&q=sillekrog&sll=58.480114,15.869625&sspn=0.000683,0.002411&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Sillekrog,+Nyk%C3%B6ping,+S%C3%B6dermanlands+L%C3%A4n&ll=58.916806,17.3671&spn=0.002675,0.009645&z=17&layer=c&cbll=58.916851,17.367324&panoid=FypToy4tcGDIzw2kRffHDA&cbp=12,65.74,,0,2

Stora Wäsby, north of Stockholm
http://maps.google.se/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=sv&geocode=&q=stora+w%C3%A4sby&sll=58.91685,17.367325&sspn=0.002698,0.009645&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Stora+W%C3%A4sby,+Upplands-V%C3%A4sby,+Stockholms+L%C3%A4n&ll=59.549648,17.900881&spn=0.000662,0.002411&z=19&layer=c&cbll=59.549779,17.900898&panoid=O_-i7cQGMYwmT9ykRP9ynw&cbp=12,3.68,,0,7.3

On the E6

Glumslöv, south of Helsingborg
http://maps.google.se/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=sv&q=Burger+King&sll=55.941466,12.817684&sspn=0.000726,0.002411&ie=UTF8&rq=1&ev=p&split=1&radius=0.06&hq=Burger+King&hnear=&ll=55.941537,12.816775&spn=0.000732,0.002411&z=19&layer=c&cbll=55.941537,12.816775&panoid=AofaKUAshUB2qPZAhVaIzA&cbp=12,160.85,,1,8.01

Laholm:
http://maps.google.se/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=sv&q=Statoil&sll=56.540251,12.971249&sspn=0.005418,0.01929&ie=UTF8&rq=1&ev=zi&split=1&radius=0.44&hq=Statoil&hnear=&ll=56.540268,12.970691&spn=0.002709,0.009645&z=17&layer=c&cbll=56.54049,12.970714&panoid=GhArEm0c5f_CAH66drRWEA&cbp=12,23.29,,0,5

Sandsjöbacka, south of Gothenburg
http://maps.google.se/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=sv&q=Shell&sll=57.555583,12.05366&sspn=0.00139,0.004823&ie=UTF8&rq=1&ev=p&split=1&radius=0.11&hq=Shell&hnear=&ll=57.556228,12.052435&spn=0.00139,0.004823&z=18&layer=c&cbll=57.556228,12.052435&panoid=Wn3p1OW1-HODTXb2uAYExw&cbp=12,191.54,,0,2.1

Schweden

January 14th, 2011, 06:21 PM

kanterberg

January 14th, 2011, 08:19 PM

I hardly knew these rest stops existed! Well, I think the big gas station chains would establish their services by this kind of rest stops, but Trafikverket doesnt even consider that thought. Maybe we'll see more of this in the future if the AADT is increasing.

In part it probably has do to with how Trafikverket signs for services along the motorways. The tradition in Sweden is that you'll see signs for gas stations, restaurants etc even if you have to exit the motorway to reach them. In many other countries, only services along the actual motorway would be signed. I may be wrong, but I suspect the only signs for gas stations along the UK motorways would be those found at a Motorway service area, or in Germany those found at a Autobahnraststätte.

In a sparsely populated country it might be better to be a bit more generous and give motorists directions also to services close to the motorway.

A good compromise are the rest stops with a restaurant that is accessible only from the motorway, but for both direction of travel.

Like Nyköpingsbro...
http://forumbilder.se/images/b54201175118Paf51.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)

Or Gävlebro...
http://forumbilder.se/images/384201175212P34d4.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)

ChrisZwolle

January 14th, 2011, 08:32 PM

Germany also signs the "Autohof" which is a service station (often truck stop) located down the exit. This is the most common way of services in the United States as well. I kind of like it.

Magnus Brage

January 16th, 2011, 02:28 PM

Like Nyköpingsbro...
http://forumbilder.se/images/b54201175118Paf51.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)

synd att dom tog bort flipperspelen på Nyköpingsbro...:gaah:

Uppsala

January 16th, 2011, 07:40 PM

^^
English please!

I miss the pinball machines there too.

riiga

January 18th, 2011, 07:19 PM

^^
English please!
Vad är det för fel med att skriva på svenska i en tråd om svenska motorvägar? Dessutom när det är kommunikation mellan svenskar. Tror inte att utomstående är speciellt intresserade av huruvida man saknar flipperspelen på en viss rastplats...

ChrisZwolle

January 18th, 2011, 07:22 PM

Vad är det för fel med att skriva på svenska i en tråd om svenska motorvägar? Dessutom när det är kommunikation mellan svenskar.

This thread is in the international section of Skyscrapercity, hence English is used, even in communication between Swedes.

Tror inte att utomstående är speciellt intresserade av huruvida man saknar flipperspelen på en viss rastplats...

That's true :lol:

geogregor

January 20th, 2011, 03:10 PM

This is the most common way of services in the United States as well. I kind of like it.
I actually love them. If services are constructed along the motorway they have usually some sort of monopole. Operator sign a contract with the road authority to lease the space but then he doesn't have to worry about competition and can charge premium (sometimes ridiculous) for food and fuel.
In the "US model" with services off line, near junctions, competition keep prices lower. I love those places where you have 5 gas stations and 10 different fast food joints to choose from. It's consumer dream ;)

Morsue

January 20th, 2011, 07:27 PM

I actually love them. If services are constructed along the motorway they have usually some sort of monopole. Operator sign a contract with the road authority to lease the space but then he doesn't have to worry about competition and can charge premium (sometimes ridiculous) for food and fuel.
In the "US model" with services off line, near junctions, competition keep prices lower. I love those places where you have 5 gas stations and 10 different fast food joints to choose from. It's consumer dream ;)

If you're in to junk food, then the rest stop near Värnamo Södra on E4 is a real dream. You have three different burger places to choose from. McDonald's (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=57.163371,14.072907&spn=0.006004,0.027466&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=57.163265,14.072327&panoid=dii8JViSmC2PXWlKD4SGRA&cbp=12,131.24,,0,4.44), Burger King (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=57.163313,14.073594&spn=0.006004,0.027466&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=57.163339,14.073396&panoid=6d9XODRI_rJ5_Mv3HNWTlg&cbp=12,5.55,,0,-5.34), and MAX within literally a few meters (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=57.163232,14.073915&spn=0.006004,0.027466&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=57.163178,14.074142&panoid=wheX1KwT8Atf98FbqXwKdw&cbp=12,11.31,,0,2.18).

ScraperDude

January 21st, 2011, 11:02 PM

If you're in to junk food, then the rest stop near Värnamo Södra on E4 is a real dream. You have three different burger places to choose from. McDonald's (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=57.163371,14.072907&spn=0.006004,0.027466&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=57.163265,14.072327&panoid=dii8JViSmC2PXWlKD4SGRA&cbp=12,131.24,,0,4.44), Burger King (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=57.163313,14.073594&spn=0.006004,0.027466&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=57.163339,14.073396&panoid=6d9XODRI_rJ5_Mv3HNWTlg&cbp=12,5.55,,0,-5.34), and MAX within literally a few meters (http://maps.google.se/?ie=UTF8&ll=57.163232,14.073915&spn=0.006004,0.027466&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=57.163178,14.074142&panoid=wheX1KwT8Atf98FbqXwKdw&cbp=12,11.31,,0,2.18).

Had no clue Burger King was in SE. :eat:

Fargo Wolf

January 22nd, 2011, 07:31 PM

That's nice to know if I ever go to Sweden. I have no desire to eat at McVomits (McDonald's) Come to think of it, I think Subway has locations in Sweden. Nom!!!

Comfortably Numb

January 22nd, 2011, 07:40 PM

Vad är det för fel med att skriva på svenska i en tråd om svenska motorvägar? Dessutom när det är kommunikation mellan svenskar. Tror inte att utomstående är speciellt intresserade av huruvida man saknar flipperspelen på en viss rastplats...

Jag håller med. Det fantastiska med Internet är att språkbarriärer är minskat, tack vare Google Translate. Jag inte talar svenska, men jag förstod allt du sa. Svenska motorvägar är stora och svenska musiken är bra också (jag är en stor anhängare av Moneybrother och Mando Diao).

Morsue

January 22nd, 2011, 11:26 PM

That's nice to know if I ever go to Sweden. I have no desire to eat at McVomits (McDonald's) Come to think of it, I think Subway has locations in Sweden. Nom!!!

Subway is also very frequent in Sweden with 23 locations in the Stockholm metropolitan area alone, but they're exclusive to towns and large shopping centers so you won't find any of them at rest stops save for possibly a few places.

Comcerning the language issue, when you're in a conversation where there are several people present, I consider it an act of courtesy to speak the language everyone understands most easily. This is the norm in every social situation, not just on the web.

Comfortably Numb

January 24th, 2011, 04:57 AM

It's kind of impractical for everyone to be copying and pasting every post into Google Translate. The only language to be used in the H&A section is English; this has been pointed out by the mods multiple times. Using languages others don't understand is rude.

I know; I was just joking and I do not know a lick of Swedish, although I managed to follow some of it after watching The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with subtitles (some words are quite similar to English, as are the structures of some of the sentences).

I guess I'm accustomed to this kind of "rudeness", living in South Florida, where many people have no problem speaking in Spanish so that us non-Spanish speaking idiots cannot understand them.

Shifty2k5

January 27th, 2011, 05:44 PM

Found these on youtube:

Pretty and famous part of the E4 in central sweden
eOZ-D_UJHj4

Södra länken under southern stockholm
Aclqy21IsZs

Driving thru Jönköping
02k1eacx2ns

Schweden

January 27th, 2011, 06:33 PM

Found these on youtube:

Pretty and famous part of the E4 in central sweden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOZ-D...eature=related

Södra länken under southern stockholm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aclqy...eature=related

Driving thru Jönköping
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02k1e...eature=related

Can't get those links to work!

BWG95

January 27th, 2011, 07:59 PM

Can't get those links to work!

He posted them on this page too: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=71484025&highlight=stockholm#post71484025

And there, they work! :)

Shifty2k5

January 27th, 2011, 08:19 PM

So, fixed them and embedded them! :D

cinxxx

January 27th, 2011, 09:23 PM

Nice roads. Bravo!

metasmurf

January 27th, 2011, 09:54 PM

The Swedish government has given go-ahead for the new motorway stretch south of Sundsvall on E4, rejecting five appeals to the project. Thus, construction can finally begin :cheers:

Article (Swedish): http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/helt-klart-for-ny-e4-i-sundsvall

Facts:

Total length: 20km (With the already existing motorway north of the city, Sundsvall will have around 30km of motorway when this project is completed)
Width: 21,5 and 18,5m
Number of interchanges: 5
Bridge length: 1420m
Estimated cost: 4,5 billion SEK
Completed in: 2015

Map:

http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/25076/kartor/e4sundsvall_strackning_ikon.jpg

Renderings:

http://sverigesradio.se/diverse/appdata/isidor/images/news_images/110/1139024_520_346.jpg

http://www.me.se/PageFiles/1842/E4SundsvallNero.jpg?profile=Paper_FrameLeft_TopImage

Interchanges:

North of the bridge
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5066/e4sundsvalltrafikplatsn.jpg

South of the bridge

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5650/e4sundsvalltrafikplatss.jpg

Source: http://www.trafikverket.se/Privat/Projekt/Vasternorrland/E4-Sundsvall/

Current E4:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/E4Sundsvall.jpg/800px-E4Sundsvall.jpg

Schweden

January 29th, 2011, 05:50 PM

Finally! This is a very important project for northern Sweden. I wish Trafikverket would build at least 2+2 Gävle-Sundsvall.

Shifty2k5

January 30th, 2011, 12:09 AM

Finally! This is a very important project for northern Sweden. I wish Trafikverket would build at least 2+2 Gävle-Sundsvall.

Big distances and not much traffic. I think 2+1 will do OK actually.

metasmurf

January 30th, 2011, 04:12 AM

Finally! This is a very important project for northern Sweden. I wish Trafikverket would build at least 2+2 Gävle-Sundsvall.

At least there will be 2+2, grade separated between Söderhamn and Hudiksvall this year. There's also a plan for 22km of more 2+1 between Sundsvall and Hudiksvall.

I agree with the 2+2, since it will eventually be needed anyway. However, given that they plan to build more of 2+1 instead of 2+2 it doesn't seem likely with 2+2 between Gävle and Sundsvall in the somewhat near future, unfortunately.

ScraperDude

February 8th, 2011, 09:28 AM

[QUOTE=metasmurf;71499727]The Swedish government has given go-ahead for the new motorway stretch south of Sundsvall on E4, rejecting five appeals to the project. Thus, construction can finally begin :cheers:

Article (Swedish): http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/helt-klart-for-ny-e4-i-sundsvall

Facts:

Total length: 20km (With the already existing motorway north of the city, Sundsvall will have around 30km of motorway when this project is completed)
Width: 21,5 and 18,5m
Number of interchanges: 5
Bridge length: 1420m
Estimated cost: 4,5 billion SEK
Completed in: 2015

Map:

http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/25076/kartor/e4sundsvall_strackning_ikon.jpg

This will make it easier to reach points north. When I visit It will get me from STHLM to Träsk quicker, that is, when it's complete :)
It also should take a significant amount of traffic off the current E4/surface streets in Sundsvall. 2015 isn't too bad!

Ingenioren

March 21st, 2011, 04:16 PM

tGDKqDJT7yw

6ohiGI2QGSM

metasmurf

March 21st, 2011, 07:53 PM

Thanks for the nice videos Ingenioren. Goob job!

Aphelion

March 21st, 2011, 08:19 PM

E22 Bromölla-Sölvesborg
Entering the motorway at exit no. 45 and leaving it again at exit no. 44. This motorway (between exit no. 44 and just east of exit no. 47) was completed in 1995.

a47_L31rNis

In other news, construction on two new stretches of motorway on the E22 in Scania has now started;

Hurva-Rolsberga:
Just west of the existing Rolsberga interchange (exit no. 26) a temporary bypass is being built. The current bridge over national road no. 23 will be replaced with a wider one.

Hörby-Linderöd: At Ekeröd a new interchange (future exit no. 32) is being built just north of the current E22. Parts of the current road will be used as the northbound exit ramp. Another interchange will be built at Hörby (future exit no. 31).

Later this year construction works on the new motorway between Sölve and Stensnäs in the province of Blekinge will start. It will contain one new interchange (future exit no. 48) where the E22 meets provincial road no. 121.

For more information, have a look at this page (http://withstand.thefalloftime.com/road/e22.html).

Uppsala

April 2nd, 2011, 10:07 PM

I don't think there are so many steam trains now over the motorways here in Europe. But in summer in Uppsala it's possible to see that. A museum railway are going over the E4 motorway in Uppsala. I think this looks beautiful. :happy:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/E4_bro_beskuren.jpg/1500px-E4_bro_beskuren.jpg

dj4life

April 6th, 2011, 05:29 AM

metasmurf

April 6th, 2011, 01:36 PM

Hello, guys! I need some help in defending the Swedish roads in a national forum (i know, that sounds weird) :lol: Some of lithuanian forumers tend to proove that Swedish roads are very bad (l2+1 lanes and etc., like polish ones some 10 years ago or even like in Africa!). I mean, it really can't be true, but i lack of strong arguments to proove them wrong, since i don't travel by car very much. If you can, please, write me more about the roads in Sweden. Tack. :)

Google street view has coverage of most of the Swedish roads, so I suggest those forumers to have a look themselves. The reason for the great number of 2+1 roads is 1.) Population distribution, essentially meaning most roads outside the three great urban areas (Stockholm, Göteborg, Malmö) doesn't have high enough traffic volumes to justify motorways.

2) Given that 2+1 roads can be made from already existing 13 meters wide 2-lane roads makes it a convenient way of getting a great amount of safe roads compared to only building motorways and regular 2-lane roads with nothing in between.

As far as pavement quality goes, yes there are spots that aren't perfect but generally I'd say you won't find many really bad parts. Also, you have to keep in mind that all Swedish roads are toll free, except for the Öresund bridge and Svinesund bridge (also, the "congestion tax" for driving in central Stockholm).

Finally, I find it very hard to believe that Polish (excluding motorways, due to many parts of the Polish network being recently constructed), and definitely not African roads are in better condition than Swedish ones.

Uppsala

April 6th, 2011, 04:52 PM

^^
The roads are not that bad. They are building out the motorway network more and more. Like Poland the motorway network is going to be better and better.

But E45 from Mora to Karesuando is a road with quite poor standard far away from motorway standard.

ChrisZwolle

April 6th, 2011, 05:02 PM

Main roads in Poland carry 15 000 - 25 000 vehicles per day. Main roads in central / northern Sweden carry 1 000 - 10 000 vehicles per day, somewhat more on E4, less in rural areas further north. There is no need for them to be motorways.

dj4life

April 7th, 2011, 12:19 AM

Thank you, guys! I've already mentioned the low density of population and similar things. Anyway, it is just a group of students who travel through Sweden and bash every detail they dislike. :)

ChrisZwolle

April 22nd, 2011, 09:38 PM

Trelleborg:

http://i.imgur.com/FPuWW.jpg

ChrisZwolle

May 18th, 2011, 04:15 PM

The EIA for the Stockholm Bypass has been approved. It will now be available to the public from May 30th to August 12th.

http://www.trafikverket.se/Privat/Projekt/Stockholm/Forbifart-stockholm/Aktuellt/2011-05/Forbifart-Stockholm-Nagon-fordyring-av-projektet-forutses-inte/

Aphelion

May 19th, 2011, 03:30 PM

I updated my information page on current and planned road projects: Click here (http://withstand.thefalloftime.com/road)

ChrisZwolle

May 19th, 2011, 03:33 PM

Nice work. Although the Stockholm Bypass is currently no road. I assume you mean the Essingeleden by 4+4, but I also assume Essingeleden will continue to exist once the Stockholm Bypass will be put into operation.

Aphelion

May 19th, 2011, 04:11 PM

You are correct of course, Essingeleden just won't be designated E4 when replaced by "Förbifart Stockholm". :)

I hope updated AADT statistics will be released soon... New measurements were made in 2010.

Harry

May 19th, 2011, 05:07 PM

Afternoon all.

I'm after a little info from some locals, if possible. We are visiting family in Linköping next week, having hired a car after landing at Arlanda. The journey looks straight forward enough (E4 pretty much all of the way), but I was wondering if anyone familiar with this route has any advice that I might find useful.

We will be leaving Arlanda mid-afternoon on Thursday. Should we expect any significant delays on the Stockholm stretch, for example, or does the motorway tend to flow freely? (All I really know about driving in Sweden at the moment is that you drive on the right and that I'll need to leave my headlights on. :))

Many thanks in advance. Any advice much appreciated.

Shifty2k5

May 19th, 2011, 05:24 PM

Harry

May 19th, 2011, 05:54 PM

Thanks Shifty. Looking forward to it.

Just one further question. Are there any service areas to use along the route? We have two small boys, so will almost certainly have to stop en route.

yako

May 19th, 2011, 06:14 PM

Thanks Shifty. Looking forward to it.

Just one further question. Are there any service areas to use along the route? We have two small boys, so will almost certainly have to stop en route.

Sure are! Should be every 15-20kms or so. Some are simple rest areas, others have services (petrol, food etc.) as well. Still, the drive is not that long, and apart from the bit through Stockholm should be mostly uneventful (i.e. quick!), you might be able to pull it off in one sitting should the boys behave...

Harry

May 19th, 2011, 06:19 PM

Excellent! Thanks guys.

yako

May 19th, 2011, 06:20 PM

Trafiken.nu still shows some congestion for a few km:s at the northern approaches to central Stockholm, but seeing as you just had time to post here you might not be behind the wheel yet. It could let up until the time you get down there.

EDIT: You're welcome, enjoy the drive!

Harry

May 19th, 2011, 07:45 PM

It's actually next week we're travelling. But thanks for the link. I'll keep an eye on it.

yako

May 20th, 2011, 11:49 AM

Next week? Ooops. Anyway, Google maps also has traffic information available in Sweden nowadays, might be easier to access.

Aphelion

May 24th, 2011, 05:26 PM

Another update - I added an overview map, click here (http://withstand.thefalloftime.com/road).

Shifty2k5

May 31st, 2011, 06:07 AM

"Utställelsehandlingarna", or basically the results of the planning process of Förbifart Stockholm has been released to the public and is available at http://www.trafikverket.se/Privat/Projekt/Stockholm/Forbifart-stockholm/Om-projektet/utstallelse-av-arbetsplan/utstallelsehandlingar/.

There's a lot to look through if your interested. Some things that I found:

Overview map of the project:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Forbifart_Stockholm_vv_1.jpg?uselang=sv

Trafikplats (junction) Häggvik is the northern and ending point of Förbifart Stockholm, where the motorway will merge with the existing E4.

Current trafikplats Häggvik (where E4 merges with Norrortsleden):

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2905/heggvikidag.png

Trafikplats Häggvik with Förbifart and E4:

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/8548/heggviksedan.png

Same as last but from a ground perspective:

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/7396/heggvik.png

EDIT

Overview:

http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/54104/plan_1.pdf

-Pino-

May 31st, 2011, 09:22 AM

Nice. When is a decision on the project expected?

Shifty2k5

May 31st, 2011, 09:53 AM

Nice. When is a decision on the project expected?

It was approved in 2009 and construction is expected to start in 2012.. So it's a slow process, but we're getting there.

Aphelion

May 31st, 2011, 07:02 PM

I made a sortable list based on motorway opening years from the swedish Wikipedia, click here (http://withstand.thefalloftime.com/road/historic.html).

Shifty2k5

May 31st, 2011, 07:37 PM

I made a sortable list based on motorway opening years from the swedish Wikipedia, click here (http://withstand.thefalloftime.com/road/historic.html).

^^

very nice, good job.

ChrisZwolle

May 31st, 2011, 07:57 PM

Yes, excellent job :)

Aphelion

May 31st, 2011, 08:48 PM

Thanks guys! :) Some locations might be a bit obscure even for swedes, but sometimes they are the only reference.

DanielFigFoz

May 31st, 2011, 10:08 PM

Excellent!

kanterberg

May 31st, 2011, 10:59 PM

Kjello0

June 1st, 2011, 12:53 AM

The Zhongnanshan Tunnel in China is the longest with it's 18 km, so no. And it wouldn't have been for long anyways. Rogfast outside Stavanger will be about 25 km.

X236K

June 1st, 2011, 01:31 AM

Just one word: WOW!

ChrisZwolle

June 1st, 2011, 07:55 AM

Nikolaj

June 1st, 2011, 10:18 AM

It will be the second-longest twin-tube road tunnel though. It may be rivaled by the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel between Germany and Denmark.

The Fehmarnbelt tunnel will be 17,6 km, and include four tubes (2 for motorway and 2 for railway)

kanterberg

June 1st, 2011, 10:34 AM

Trafikplats Häggvik with Förbifart and E4:

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/8548/heggviksedan.png

Same as last but from a ground perspective:

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/7396/heggvik.png

[/url]

And here is Trafikplats Kungens Kurva, the start of the bypass from the south.

Today:
http://forumbilder.se/images/7f2011102919Af745.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)

The bypass will be E4, the current E4/E20 will just be E20.
http://forumbilder.se/images/f62011102951A62b6.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)

54°26′S 3°24′E

June 1st, 2011, 11:49 AM

The Zhongnanshan Tunnel in China is the longest with it's 18 km, so no. And it wouldn't have been for long anyways. Rogfast outside Stavanger will be about 25 km.

It will be the second-longest twin-tube road tunnel though. It may be rivaled by the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel between Germany and Denmark.

The Fehmarnbelt tunnel will be 17,6 km, and include four tubes (2 for motorway and 2 for railway)

Rogfast will be motorway / two tubes as well, so when and if Fehmarn and Rogfast will be realized I guess (the impressing) Stockholm tunnel will be the fourth longest twin-tube, not taking into consideration other possible projects.

g.spinoza

June 1st, 2011, 12:42 PM

At what stage is now Rogfast project? Wikipedia infos are outdated (at least the ones I can read)..

Aphelion

June 1st, 2011, 02:53 PM

I have now added pretty much all motorway inaugurations to the list (http://withstand.thefalloftime.com/historic.html).

Ingenioren

June 1st, 2011, 03:49 PM

At what stage is now Rogfast project? Wikipedia infos are outdated (at least the ones I can read)..

Working on detail-planning now. There are no binding long-term plans for Norwegian highways but it scheduled to start construction sometime between 2015 and 2019.

Dan

June 1st, 2011, 11:08 PM

Any new motorway segments due to open in SWE this year?

Ingenioren

June 2nd, 2011, 12:05 AM

Yes, there is E6 near Trelleborg(10km) and E6 near Tanum(6km) aswell as E4 near Hudiksvall(20km)

Aphelion

June 7th, 2011, 08:56 PM

Any new motorway segments due to open in SWE this year?

Current projects can be seen at my amateur site, http://withstand.thefalloftime.com/road. Today I added lists with all motorways and expressways in Sweden. :)

ChrisZwolle

June 7th, 2011, 10:10 PM

^^ Add it to your signature, better to find that way :)

Shifty2k5

June 8th, 2011, 12:42 AM

Someone (not necessarily Aphelion) should make a map of all 2+1 roads in Sweden. I think few foreigners realize how extensive the Swedish 2+1 network is.

Maybe I should make one? :p

Aphelion

June 8th, 2011, 07:43 AM

Someone (not necessarily Aphelion) should make a map of all 2+1 roads in Sweden. I think few foreigners realize how extensive the Swedish 2+1 network is.

Maybe I should make one? :p

If you have nothing else to do, then go for it :D

June 8th, 2011, 09:49 AM

Ingenioren

June 8th, 2011, 10:51 AM

^ Well if you are building 2+1 roads for 10.000 aadt i agree they should rather build motorway.

Made a simple one - as you said, just to give an impression of how the national road-network is.
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l608/ingenioren4/swedenbarrier.png

Note that there are also many Lv-routes that have this configuration.

For those who want to see all:
http://gis.vv.se/iov/

Choose: Sträckföreteelser - Mittbarriärtyp

ChrisZwolle

June 8th, 2011, 10:54 AM

I think that 2+1-standard is quite stupid. They are trying to bring it to Finland, because we always do everything the swedes do. In fact 2+1 is used when AADT is about 10 000, so it takes a few years and then a motorway is needed. It is far less expensive to upgrade to motorway than upgrading first to 2+1 and then to motorway in 10 years.

It is possible to operate 2+1 on one carriageway of a future motorway. As long as you reserve space, it can be expanded to motorway standards quite easily. By the way, the only Dutch 2+1 road carries 28 000 vehicles per day.

NordikNerd

June 8th, 2011, 11:39 AM

I think that 2+1-standard is quite stupid. They are trying to bring it to Finland, because we always do everything the swedes do. In fact 2+1 is used when AADT is about 10 000, so it takes a few years and then a motorway is needed. It is far less expensive to upgrade to motorway than upgrading first to 2+1 and then to motorway in 10 years.

I have noticed that 2+1 roads has oversized viaducts so they can be used also for future motorways.

2+1 roads are built when rapid increase of motor vehicle collisions is noticed. It has less to do with accessibility and prevent traffic clots.

I feel comfortable driving on a 2+1 road compared to an ordinary wide 1+1 road.

Shifty2k5

June 9th, 2011, 04:16 AM

NordikNerd

June 9th, 2011, 10:43 AM

Any news about The new E16 through sweden, are they going to do anything else but changing the signs on the existing roads?

Ingenioren

June 9th, 2011, 02:42 PM

No, just new signs.

Aphelion

June 9th, 2011, 02:48 PM

Some traffic problems on the motorway bypass of Sölvesborg today. A truck accident combined with Sweden Rock festival lead to several kilometres of traffic jams.

http://bambuser.com/channel/EvlewT/broadcast/1726352

ChrisZwolle

July 1st, 2011, 05:44 PM

Trafikverket uploaded aerial photos of E4 around Sundsvall:

http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/56140/11_skonsberg.jpg

http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/56140/12_ledningsarb.jpg

http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/56140/14_flasian.jpg

http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/56140/16_stockvik.jpg

http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/56140/17_dalgang.jpg

http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/56140/20_vastbo.jpg

Aphelion

July 2nd, 2011, 10:15 AM

Nice, the bridge will be tolled btw (same with the new bridge at Motala).

Shifty2k5

July 3rd, 2011, 02:12 AM

Sweden has gotten a much needed update on Google Street view! All of northern Sweden is now updated and all main roads are now included!

Just to set the mood:

http://data.fuskbugg.se/skalman02/4e0fb3ac185d9_Namnl%F6s.png

Aphelion

July 3rd, 2011, 08:29 AM

Some of the roads were driven on in very snowy conditions I see. Also, notice this extremely low-budget motorway entrance/exit (not to mention the lack of hard shoulders): http://is.gd/3F2Alg + http://is.gd/yQTime

Schweden

July 3rd, 2011, 03:13 PM

WOHO, finally Street View update!

Aphelion

July 6th, 2011, 06:58 PM

Construction start for the E22 stretch between Rolsberga and Fogdarp is seemingly set for early next year, according to the latest plans of Trafikverket. Offers will be taken in from August. This stretch was financed by regional money to get it built before 2021.

Durin

August 16th, 2011, 09:50 PM

Ended up in a traffic jam on the E22 Malmö-Lund today (locally referred to as "autostradan") during rush hour. Complete chaos at the Lund south exit and on towards Malmö. Could have been an accident I suppose, but what's the normal AADT for this stretch?

I tried finding out myself on the Trafikverket website but I honestly don't know the abbreviation for AADT in Swedish. :|

ChrisZwolle

August 16th, 2011, 09:54 PM

^^

http://gis.vv.se/tfk2/tfk/indextfk.aspx?config=tfk

Just zoom in. :)

Road_UK

August 16th, 2011, 09:55 PM

A traffic jam in Sweden! Very unusual indeed. Have been in a few though, at Gothenburg, at the interchange at Jonkoping, and obviously the E4/E20 at Stockholm. Ridiculous speed limits going through Stockholm, by the way. 80 km/h where 100 would be more then normal. Same for Helsinki, Finland.

Durin

August 16th, 2011, 10:45 PM

Hmm, tried that link before and it never worked. Until now... Thx Chris! :)

An AADT of 38.000 Malmö-Lund almost justifies a 2x3 stretch, under Swedish standards, that is. This stretch should really be widened, being the oldest motorway in Sweden it doesn't even feature hard shoulders at its overpasses. As far as I know the Lund south ramps are to be rebuilt and widened. I hope this will accommodate space for a future widening.

@Road UK: Sweden has a lot of motorways built in or near city centres. In many other countries these would be designated urban expressways. Great examples are Stockholm, Gothenburg and Jönköping. I suppose the 80 kph speed limit is mainly for noise reduction. The Essingeleden in Stockholm passes only a km or two from the centre and a lot of housing is just next door to the motorway. What Stockholm desperately needs is an outer bypass (soon to be u/c) that will allow for higher speeds.

Road_UK

August 16th, 2011, 10:51 PM

I just realised that the speed limit at the Essingeleden (that's the bit near exit for ferries to Finland, right? near that tunnel) isn't 80 but 70 km/h.

MattiG

August 16th, 2011, 11:25 PM

I just realised that the speed limit at the Essingeleden (that's the bit near exit for ferries to Finland, right? near that tunnel) isn't 80 but 70 km/h.

Yes. It is an urban motorway of 4+4 lanes, and nine exits within eight kilometres, and AADT of 170,000. The low speed limit is rather well justified.

Durin

August 16th, 2011, 11:34 PM

I just realised that the speed limit at the Essingeleden (that's the bit near exit for ferries to Finland, right? near that tunnel) isn't 80 but 70 km/h.

http://svt.se/content/1/c8/01/60/78/62/essingeleden450.jpg

The Essingeleden is basically the bridge structures carrying the E4 and E20 across the water from the south-west to the north-west and there's the Fredhäll tunnel immediately after the bridges. I'm not sure of the current speed limit, but seems justified, being more of an urban expressway: http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=E20&hl=en&ll=59.341375,18.027964&spn=0.023415,0.077162&sll=59.344482,18.03174&sspn=0.023413,0.077162&geocode=FZDfiAMdT_kSAQ%3BFcKHiQMdtxQTAQ&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=14&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=14

After Essingeleden the E4 and E20 splits, the E4 heading north and the E20 heading east onto the city streets toward the Northside ferry terminal Värtan: http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=Tegeluddsv%C3%A4gen&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=59.356121,18.127441&spn=0.04681,0.154324&sll=59.348399,18.104997&sspn=0.011705,0.038581&geocode=FTGeiQMdpEcTAQ%3BFUeJiQMdTmMUAQ&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=15&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=13 (there's also a large ferry terminal on the Southside after a long motorway tunnel: http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Route+73&daddr=Route+222&hl=en&ll=59.310198,18.115511&spn=0.023437,0.077162&sll=59.30757,18.115253&sspn=0.011719,0.038581&geocode=FWfZiAMddQkTAQ%3BFZv4iAMdLn0UAQ&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=15&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=14). The E20 city stretch is currently being converted into an underground motorway called Norra länken (The Northern link).

kanterberg

August 16th, 2011, 11:44 PM

Durin

August 17th, 2011, 12:01 AM

The obvious problem is that there is still no national standard after implementing the new speed limit scheme. Some urban motorways have 120 (Halmstad), some 100 (Västerås), some 90 (Gothenburg, most of Stockholm) and some even 70, like Essingeleden in Stockholm.

I suppose this really has to do with local government having a lot to say about speed limits, even on motorways. Be it county or city councils.

kanterberg

August 17th, 2011, 12:04 AM

/.../Ridiculous speed limits going through Stockholm, by the way. 80 km/h where 100 would be more then normal. Same for Helsinki, Finland.

On the other hand, it's a well known fact that countries with relatively low speed limits (UK, Sweden, the Netherlands) are also the safest countries to drive in...

With that said I still think motorway speed limits could be raised without compromising safety. The Danish example shows the way.

Agurv

August 17th, 2011, 01:29 AM

Curious, do alot of people actually go that speed? Can't imagine not going at least 120 on a motorway if there's no traffic

Road_UK

August 17th, 2011, 07:21 AM

On the other hand, it's a well known fact that countries with relatively low speed limits (UK, Sweden, the Netherlands) are also the safest countries to drive in...

With that said I still think motorway speed limits could be raised without compromising safety. The Danish example shows the way.

Yes. We established on the Denmark thread that by pushing up the speed limits a little bit, it actually reduces accident.

Ingenioren

August 17th, 2011, 08:47 AM

There is 70km/h on E6 near Liseberg and trough Tingstadtunnel in Göteborg, and also a 70km/h piece on Rv40 trough Borås...

I wouldn't exactly call E6 trough Halmstad urban. However E6 trough Ljungskile comes to mind (110km/h).

Morsue

August 17th, 2011, 09:21 AM

Curious, do alot of people actually go that speed? Can't imagine not going at least 120 on a motorway if there's no traffic

Of course you could, if the alignment does meet the standards for going 120 you wouldn't travel at that speed. Essingeleden was designed for 70 and the curves along the way don't let you do much more than that. Essingeleden is as pointed out above Sweden's most congested road and it's only during about 19-06 on weekdays and on weekends you can travel at any higher speed even on the straight parts because of the heavy traffic and constant interchanges.

ChrisZwolle

August 17th, 2011, 10:31 AM

On the other hand, it's a well known fact that countries with relatively low speed limits (UK, Sweden, the Netherlands) are also the safest countries to drive in...

On the other hand, it's also a fact the motorway fatality rate in the United States (low speed limits) is usually 2 - 3 times higher than in European countries which have mostly 120 - 130 km/h speed limits. Fatality rates in Europe are so low on motorways it's hard to make a conclusion. Three or four deadly accidents can already make a few percent change on the yearly statistics. For instance, only 33 people were killed on Dutch motorways in 2010, and (off the top off my head) 19 in Denmark.

kanterberg

August 17th, 2011, 11:15 AM

On the other hand, it's also a fact the motorway fatality rate in the United States (low speed limits) is usually 2 - 3 times higher than in European countries which have mostly 120 - 130 km/h speed limits. Fatality rates in Europe are so low on motorways it's hard to make a conclusion. Three or four deadly accidents can already make a few percent change on the yearly statistics. For instance, only 33 people were killed on Dutch motorways in 2010, and (off the top off my head) 19 in Denmark.

It's hard to compare US Interstates to European motorways. In the US you'll often see interstates without proper crash barriers and sometimes with just a grass median in the middle. Not to mention a traffic culture where undertaking is common, 16-year olds are allowed to drive and the legal limit is 0.08 in many states.

Road safety isn't all about speed limits, but I'm sure we can agree it is one of the aspects? Obviously median dividers between opposite-direction traffic is the most effective step to take for any country wishing to reduce accidents.

With median dividers you can even raise the speed limit, the Swedish 2+1 roads with a steel cable median divider is a great example: near-motorway road safety AND a raised speed limit!

kubam4a1

August 17th, 2011, 11:46 AM

Aphelion

August 17th, 2011, 12:59 PM

I have just google-maped the Gothenburg, any idea why the highway 159 is not marked as a motorway? Seems that it fully performs motorway standards. And it is certainly good for the city to have full beltway (being a urban motorway in most cases), what's the AADT?

^^ According to http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A4nsv%C3%A4g_159 the road number isn't actually 159 anymore. Regarding the motorway status - it's common, especially in Gothenburg, not to sign an urban expressway as motorway. This is partly to counter public opinion against urban motorways.

Durin

August 17th, 2011, 04:52 PM

^^ According to http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A4nsv%C3%A4g_159 the road number isn't actually 159 anymore. Regarding the motorway status - it's common, especially in Gothenburg, not to sign an urban expressway as motorway. This is partly to counter public opinion against urban motorways.

When it comes to the Älvsborg bridge part, i believe it carries a fair amount of city buses, limiting its' potential as a motorway. Slow traffic was recently banned according to the article, but basically this bridge still serves as the only local western connection across the Göta river. The situation reminds me of that of the A282 Dartford Crossing in Eastern London, not under motorway restrictions and not officially part of the M25.

Durin

August 17th, 2011, 05:15 PM

Road safety isn't all about speed limits, but I'm sure we can agree it is one of the aspects? Obviously median dividers between opposite-direction traffic is the most effective step to take for any country wishing to reduce accidents.

With median dividers you can even raise the speed limit, the Swedish 2+1 roads with a steel cable median divider is a great example: near-motorway road safety AND a raised speed limit!

I believe the motorway parts of E4 through Småland (Helsingborg-Jönköping) could easily handle higher speed limits with a few upgrades of crash-barriers and such. It carries little traffic and is for most of its' stretch straight as an airport runway. Many of the spankin' new Polish motorways carry on straight for miles through remote areas and dense forests (but with a 140 kph limit), just as the E4 does. Would be interesting to compare the accident record of these with the E4 once they've been in use for some time.

Uppsala

August 17th, 2011, 05:20 PM

I believe the motorway parts of E4 through Småland (Helsingborg-Jönköping) could easily handle higher speed limits with a few upgrades of crash-barriers and such. It carries little traffic and is for most of its' stretch straight as an airport runway. Many of the spankin' new Polish motorways carry on straight for miles through remote areas and dense forests (but with a 140 kph limit), just as the E4 does. Would be interesting to compare the accident record of these with the E4 once they've been in use for some time.

Also some parts of E4 from Nyköping to Södertälje and from Uppsala to Gävle can easily handle higher speed limits like 140 km/h.

Schweden

August 18th, 2011, 09:31 PM

I think 130 km/h is the perfect speed limits for motorways. 140 is a bit too much.

ScraperDude

August 19th, 2011, 12:11 AM

It's hard to compare US Interstates to European motorways. In the US you'll often see interstates without proper crash barriers and sometimes with just a grass median in the middle. Not to mention a traffic culture where undertaking is common, 16-year olds are allowed to drive and the legal limit is 0.08 in many states.

Road safety isn't all about speed limits, but I'm sure we can agree it is one of the aspects? Obviously median dividers between opposite-direction traffic is the most effective step to take for any country wishing to reduce accidents.

With median dividers you can even raise the speed limit, the Swedish 2+1 roads with a steel cable median divider is a great example: near-motorway road safety AND a raised speed limit!

A lot of states are installing the steel cable dividers in rural areas but so many areas do not have them. I do agree with you though! The state of Kansas just raised it's speed limits to 75/mph

Durin

August 19th, 2011, 02:51 PM

I don't think this has been mentioned here before; but what's really the story with the Danish motorway signage on the E6 through through Laholm, Halmstad and Falkenberg in Halland? The signs feature Danish sign layout, size and font, including everything in lowercase. When and why was this implemented? Was it a local initiative or Vägverket doing a trial?

http://maps.google.se/maps?q=falkenberg&ll=56.717733,12.886536&spn=0.770178,2.469177&z=9&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=56.717733,12.886536&panoid=-B7zQUJ3JBv4nWuuW9d0gg&cbp=12,13.31,,0,1.1
http://maps.google.se/maps?q=falkenberg&ll=56.716511,12.88672&spn=0.770208,2.469177&z=9&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=56.716511,12.88672&panoid=-sjP6SI5Mz38C9dOSLeeXA&cbp=12,177.7,,0,-2.7

Looks good IMO, but what, are we going Danish nationally? :sly:

Morsue

August 19th, 2011, 03:11 PM

ChrisZwolle

August 19th, 2011, 03:41 PM

It always strikes me how flimsy the gantries for overhead signage looks in Sweden. Don't you have any problems with them collapsing during winter storms?

Morsue

August 19th, 2011, 03:59 PM

Wouldn't think so, at least I've never seen any. Also, I've always found them more aesthetic than the solid gantries found elsewhere.

Durin

August 19th, 2011, 04:00 PM

It always strikes me how flimsy the gantries for overhead signage looks in Sweden. Don't you have any problems with them collapsing during winter storms?

Do you mean the truss type of gantries? Never heard of collapsing gantries being an issue over here. Truss structures are used in many places (electricity pylons, bridges...) and I suppose there's just as much structural integrity in truss gantries as in solid steel ones, the truss type also being light-weight.

Rebasepoiss

August 19th, 2011, 09:56 PM

^^ Estonia uses truss type gantries as well. As Durin mentioned, it's lightweight but strong.

Road_UK

August 19th, 2011, 10:37 PM

Rebasepoiss

August 19th, 2011, 11:00 PM

^^ This is probably getting a bit OT but speaking about lighting poles: the Estonian road construction standards mention 2 different types. One that deforms under impact and a second one that doesn't. The second one can only be used when it's separated from the highway by a crash barrier.

MattiG

August 20th, 2011, 09:55 AM

Yes, I saw a program on the Discovery Channel about this, which made the point that the Swedish are well advanced in making lightweight structures for on the motorway, which is actually a safety measure. Let's see, how can I put this...

If you crash into a streetlight in the UK at high speeds, you're likely to die. The streetlight will hardly have a scratch on it, but the car will have split in half, with you in it.
In Sweden, the streetlight will bounce forward, and then back, resulting in the car adjusting to the movement that the streetlight is making, enhancing your survival chances. This due to the lightweight structure. This applies to road signs as well.

There is an European Standard EN 12899 (Passive safety of support structures for road equipment – Requirements and test methods) dealing with the collision safety. The standard makes the classification in three dimensions: collision speed, energy absorbency, and person impact (1-worst,3-best). For example, a class 100;NE;3 structure is non-energy-absorbing, and the person injury risk is low at speeds up to 100 kph.

It is up to the local road authorities to decide if the road furniture must be standard-conforming.

The Scandinavian countries have implemented rather similar policies on the passive safety. In Finland, for instance, all new direction sings must conform to the certain classes of EN 12899 if the AADT is 15000 or higher and the speed limit is 50 kph or higher. If this is not possible because of technical reasons (like the sign being to big to be carried by collision-safe structures), then the sign must be positioned behind a fence, or far away from the road.

http://www.mattigronroos.fi/~kf7797/Tiet/Vt1_Vista.jpg

Lattix pole (Norwegian make), aluminium truss. Deforms at collision.

metasmurf

September 1st, 2011, 12:40 AM

The new E4 stretch between Enånger and Hudiksvall will open on October the 5th. 22km will be 2+2 without shoulders, and 2km will be 2+1. If the 22km long 2+2 road will be signposted as motorway despite the lack of shoulders as the stretch Söderhamn - Enånger remains to be seen.

http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/7062/TV_Hudik_110616_1.jpg

http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/7062/TV_Hudik_110616_3.jpg

rarse

September 1st, 2011, 12:37 PM

Nice news but too bad for no hard shoulders.

Anyway those stretches have 7000-8500 AADT, except the Hudiksvall - Iggesund (11.100).

Uppsala

September 2nd, 2011, 12:44 AM

Nice news but too bad for no hard shoulders.

Anyway those stretches have 7000-8500 AADT, except the Hudiksvall - Iggesund (11.100).

Most new motorways in Sweden have very narrow hard shoulders or sometimes there are no hard shoulders on them.

Durin

September 2nd, 2011, 10:38 AM

Most new motorways in Sweden have very narrow hard shoulders or sometimes there are no hard shoulders on them.

Not many countries would declare a new build completely lacking shoulders a motorway though. This stretch should really be classified as expressway (motortrafikled) and not as motorway.

Nikolaj

September 2nd, 2011, 02:01 PM

Not many countries would declare a new build completely lacking shoulders a motorway though. This stretch should really be classified as expressway (motortrafikled) and not as motorway.

I had the experience this summer to try some of the new stretches of "socalled" motorway on E6 between Gothenburg and the Norwegian border.

A bit scary experience. Especially passing one of the big 60 tonnes and 25 m trucks allowed in Scandinavia on a 18,5 m motorway: No hard shoulders (and on bridges no shoulder at all) and 3,25 m lanes. In other countries this would not be clssified as a motorway, but admitted the amount of traffic is very low - AADT of 7000-8000 as far as I remember.

Shifty2k5

September 2nd, 2011, 02:40 PM

Nikolaj

September 2nd, 2011, 02:52 PM

I thought they added shoulders to all E6/Bohuslän sections?

The width of the lanes and the width and/or existence of hard shoulders changed from section to section. It was the impression that the newer the section was the narrower.

Schweden

September 2nd, 2011, 03:57 PM

A typical motorway in Sweden (http://maps.google.se/?ll=61.426655,16.984509&spn=0.004223,0.016512&z=17&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=61.4267,16.984322&panoid=S5OI6PAbwTYioFOcCOKs6g&cbp=12,339.94,,0,8.25) :D

rarse

September 2nd, 2011, 08:16 PM

IceCheese

September 3rd, 2011, 01:45 AM

I had the experience this summer to try some of the new stretches of "socalled" motorway on E6 between Gothenburg and the Norwegian border.

A bit scary experience. Especially passing one of the big 60 tonnes and 25 m trucks allowed in Scandinavia on a 18,5 m motorway: No hard shoulders (and on bridges no shoulder at all) and 3,25 m lanes. In other countries this would not be clssified as a motorway, but admitted the amount of traffic is very low - AADT of 7000-8000 as far as I remember.

And don't forget all bumps you encounter. They've done a bad job with foundations on this road!

Here you can actually see the road has sunk: http://maps.google.no/?ll=59.047265,11.256866&spn=0.177994,0.528374&t=h&z=12&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=59.047067,11.257273&panoid=wwyTkPoQ7q0Lb1Zp1YuZUw&cbp=12,316.88,,0,10.06

54°26′S 3°24′E

September 3rd, 2011, 02:59 AM

^^ What do you expect? Strömstad is practically Norwegian (again) ....

Durin

September 3rd, 2011, 12:45 PM

A typical motorway in Sweden (http://maps.google.se/?ll=61.426655,16.984509&spn=0.004223,0.016512&z=17&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=61.4267,16.984322&panoid=S5OI6PAbwTYioFOcCOKs6g&cbp=12,339.94,,0,8.25) :D

Surely not! Only motorways in the periphery of Sweden look like that. :D

On the other hand, although many of the motorways of the 2000's are narrow and cheaply built and really should have been declared expressways, they are however free of charge.

kanterberg

September 3rd, 2011, 03:42 PM

Surely not! Only motorways in the periphery of Sweden look like that. :D

On the other hand, although many of the motorways of the 2000's are narrow and cheaply built and really should have been declared expressways, they are however free of charge.

Here's an old post of mine from a trip on one of the newer motorways built with narrow shoulders and median - the E18 in Örebro towards Oslo.

The AADT here is actually a bit higher than the sections discussed previously: around 15 000.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=62318843&highlight=#post62318843

http://forumbilder.se/images/700201080900P2455.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)

http://forumbilder.se/images/9f0201081154P0680.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)

http://forumbilder.se/images/150201082052P76e2.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)

ChrisZwolle

September 3rd, 2011, 05:39 PM

Today it's 44 years ago dagen H occurred, when Sweden switched from driving on the left to driving on the right.

Fargo Wolf

September 3rd, 2011, 08:32 PM

Wonder how well that went.

rarse

September 3rd, 2011, 08:34 PM

Here's an old post of mine from a trip on one of the newer motorways built with narrow shoulders and median - the E18 in Örebro towards Oslo.

http://forumbilder.se/images/700201080900P2455.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)

This looks pretty bad. So drivers on the right lane who take that exit and know what it is like probably drive much slower.

Schweden

September 3rd, 2011, 09:33 PM

Wonder how well that went.

Not that well :D

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_FO3ZAe1GLKs/SSr_89o4mnI/AAAAAAAAADk/TPos1msJ7ik/h1.jpg

Uppsala

September 4th, 2011, 12:19 AM

This looks pretty bad. So drivers on the right lane who take that exit and know what it is like probably drive much slower.

Thats right! Many junctions in Sweden are quite dangerous. You must slow down before you get to the junction. If you don't slow down before it you can crash. :(

rarse

September 4th, 2011, 12:45 AM

^^ In situations like this, there should be some sign with warring / speed limit on the right lane and "plan" / map of the ramp, for those who do not know this is "non-motorway" exit.

Uppsala

September 4th, 2011, 09:06 AM

^^ In situations like this, there should be some sign with warring / speed limit on the right lane and "plan" / map of the ramp, for those who do not know this is "non-motorway" exit.

I agree with that. And the strange thing is they are still building junctions like this. Some of the most new motorways in Sweden have junctions like this. :(

Morsue

September 4th, 2011, 09:57 AM

Not that well :D

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_FO3ZAe1GLKs/SSr_89o4mnI/AAAAAAAAADk/TPos1msJ7ik/h1.jpg

The strange thing as far as I understand is that cars that were made for the Swedish market actually had left-hand drive. Imagine all cars in Britain having the driver sitting on the left. What a mess.

kalle_sg

September 4th, 2011, 11:05 AM

Not that well :D

Not that bad either. There were less accidents on the following day than there usually had been.

The strange thing as far as I understand is that cars that were made for the Swedish market actually had left-hand drive.

Actually, most of the cars in Sweden back then were adjusted to the right-hand traffic. That was one of the reasons behind the switch.

If anyone's interested, there's an article on the English wikipedia (not to mention the Swedish one, of course): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagen_H

kanterberg

September 4th, 2011, 11:05 PM

Thats right! Many junctions in Sweden are quite dangerous. You must slow down before you get to the junction. If you don't slow down before it you can crash. :(

I can't say I agree. Yes, exits with this type of layout are obviously not built for very high speeds, but on the other hand they usually lead to a straight and longer than normal slip road. That means you can easily exit the motorway at normal motorway speed and slow down safely on the slip road. This is especially true on stretches with a speed limit of 110km/h or less.

Sure, I prefer a normal exit lane, but as long as you keep to the speed limit they certainly are not dangerous. And they're quite common all over Scandinavia, it's not a unique Swedish design.

Shifty2k5

September 5th, 2011, 12:00 AM

This looks pretty bad. So drivers on the right lane who take that exit and know what it is like probably drive much slower.

No, student drivers are taught not to slow down until you're on the actual ramp. Slowing down on the motorway would be stupid.

rarse

September 5th, 2011, 12:08 AM

No, student drivers are taught not to slow down until you're on the actual ramp. Slowing down on the motorway would be stupid.

Off course they are. But that's the theory.

Off course if one knows what is the ramp in front of him like, he might drive as kanterberg described.

But if one doesn't know it... Then maybe the theory above changes...

rarse

September 5th, 2011, 12:15 AM

Yes, exits with this type of layout are obviously not built for very high speeds, but on the other hand they usually lead to a straight and longer than normal slip road. That means you can easily exit the motorway at normal motorway speed and slow down safely on the slip road.

If all ramps like this, without the braking lane, are designed to "drive-in" with 110 km per hour then I suppose that is not such a massive problem.

NordikNerd

September 5th, 2011, 02:26 PM

Today it's 44 years ago dagen H occurred, when Sweden switched from driving on the left to driving on the right.

Still, before 1967 few or no cars in Sweden were right hand drive like in England and Japan. Why ?

Uppsala

September 5th, 2011, 03:57 PM

I can't say I agree. Yes, exits with this type of layout are obviously not built for very high speeds, but on the other hand they usually lead to a straight and longer than normal slip road. That means you can easily exit the motorway at normal motorway speed and slow down safely on the slip road. This is especially true on stretches with a speed limit of 110km/h or less.

Sure, I prefer a normal exit lane, but as long as you keep to the speed limit they certainly are not dangerous. And they're quite common all over Scandinavia, it's not a unique Swedish design.

I don't think this is a Scandinavian version, you can see this in other countries too, but very few.

I think they can be very dangerous. Because the junctions are not built for going in around 110-130 km/h. You must very often slow down at the motorway before you go to the junction. And people can miss that and that can be dangerous. It's not so very much more expensive to bouild junctions with a braking lane. And it's much more safe with the breaking lane. So it's only stupid and dangerous to build a motorway without the braking lane. :( :ohno:

MattiG

September 5th, 2011, 06:42 PM

I don't think this is a Scandinavian version, you can see this in other countries too, but very few.

It is rather a common design in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark but not in Finland.

Norway E18: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Drammen,+Norge&hl=en&ll=59.808933,10.292999&spn=0.0041,0.009645&sll=59.422258,10.364994&sspn=0.002006,0.004823&vpsrc=6&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=59.808968,10.293213&panoid=uAIgxiUu3VdHPPe1TF66ww&cbp=12,247.77,,0,-1.7

Denmark E20: http://maps.google.com/?ll=55.414065,11.411726&spn=0.000006,0.009645&t=k&z=17&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=55.414453,11.411942&panoid=N98J2CQJFrzfkBxFAsddDg&cbp=12,21.67,,0,0.3

Sweden E4: http://maps.google.com/?ll=57.695789,14.157214&spn=0.000011,0.01929&z=16&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=57.695685,14.15724&panoid=dv6jub-iOMqdjMpXL1HNeA&cbp=12,181.17,,0,-3.8

Finland 7/E18: http://maps.google.com/?ll=60.277217,25.299261&spn=0.000011,0.01929&z=16&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=60.277211,25.299043&panoid=Pqv7h3WWNGmh7sPRdQ9WzQ&cbp=12,286.87,,0,-5.91

Rebasepoiss

September 5th, 2011, 08:27 PM

^^ Estonia uses that type of exists as well on our dual carriageways but ONLY when the slip road is straight and long enough to brake after you've exited.

Dahlis

September 6th, 2011, 09:44 AM

Thats right! Many junctions in Sweden are quite dangerous. You must slow down before you get to the junction. If you don't slow down before it you can crash. :(

I have actually never seen one of those junctions and I drive quite a lot. People are just afraid of braking hard, you should never slow down on the motorway.

kalle_sg

September 6th, 2011, 10:52 AM

Where do you drive then? They are common along E4 (south of Sthlm, that is). Not to mention the 2+1 roads.

Road_UK

September 6th, 2011, 11:16 AM

The worst it the E20/E4 interchange at Helsingborg.

Durin

September 6th, 2011, 02:45 PM

I don't think this is a Scandinavian version, you can see this in other countries too, but very few.

It is a Scandinavian (even uniquely Swedish) version when major features of a motorway is lacking on new builds. Mainly older and widened motorways on the continent feature short slip roads and narrow shoulders. If built today, most would be classified as expressways.

Just look at the strict motorway definition in Poland. Or even better, Estonia that currently doesn't have any. Many existing roads there could easily be re-classified as motorways if the Swedish definition was used.

The worst it the E20/E4 interchange at Helsingborg.

Indeed, as it is one of the major motorway intersections in the country.
I'm not sure when it was built, but it actually looks like it is configured for left-hand traffic. The on-ramps are considerably longer longer than the exits:

http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Helsingborg,+Sweden&hl=en&ll=56.079213,12.778057&spn=0.006059,0.01929&sll=52.643063,5.515137&sspn=6.749039,28.125&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=56.079213,12.778057&panoid=ikmszrIcGeP8o_Zt_H4vjg&cbp=12,12.8,,0,-3
http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=Helsingborg,+Sweden&hl=en&ll=56.087865,12.79212&spn=0.006118,0.01929&sll=52.643063,5.515137&sspn=6.749039,28.125&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=56.087543,12.789823&panoid=wizpbcWu_MxJ64Ntgx1Ruw&cbp=12,278.86,,0,-5.91

ElviS77

September 6th, 2011, 05:14 PM

Indeed, as it is one of the major motorway intersections in the country.
I'm not sure when it was built, but it actually looks like it is configured for left-hand traffic. The on-ramps are considerably longer longer than the exits:

It probably was. This part of Sweden saw motorways already in the 50s.

metasmurf

September 6th, 2011, 05:36 PM

It probably was. This part of Sweden saw motorways already in the 50s.

Actually, this interchange was built in 1978.

http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafikplats_Kropp

Morsue

September 6th, 2011, 06:36 PM

Trafikplats Kropp is configurated so that only those coming from the south going west have to slow down. All other directions are made to maintain a speed of 110 kmh. I'd consider Kropp a bad example if you want to point out low-quality Swedish motorway builds.

Shifty2k5

September 6th, 2011, 06:37 PM

Trafikplats Kropp and E4/E6 surrounding it was repaved last summer.

IceCheese

September 7th, 2011, 12:19 AM

It is rather a common design in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark but not in Finland.

Norway E18: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Drammen,+Norge&hl=en&ll=59.808933,10.292999&spn=0.0041,0.009645&sll=59.422258,10.364994&sspn=0.002006,0.004823&vpsrc=6&t=k&z=17&layer=c&cbll=59.808968,10.293213&panoid=uAIgxiUu3VdHPPe1TF66ww&cbp=12,247.77,,0,-1.7

Denmark E20: http://maps.google.com/?ll=55.414065,11.411726&spn=0.000006,0.009645&t=k&z=17&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=55.414453,11.411942&panoid=N98J2CQJFrzfkBxFAsddDg&cbp=12,21.67,,0,0.3

Sweden E4: http://maps.google.com/?ll=57.695789,14.157214&spn=0.000011,0.01929&z=16&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=57.695685,14.15724&panoid=dv6jub-iOMqdjMpXL1HNeA&cbp=12,181.17,,0,-3.8

Finland 7/E18: http://maps.google.com/?ll=60.277217,25.299261&spn=0.000011,0.01929&z=16&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=60.277211,25.299043&panoid=Pqv7h3WWNGmh7sPRdQ9WzQ&cbp=12,286.87,,0,-5.91

I wouldn't say it's common in Norway. This is something we mostly know from older, urban motorway-stretches. I wouldn't expect to see them in motorways younger than 20 years.

E16 and Rv2 are brand new motorexpressways, built after Swedish-imported narrow standard and only 90 km/h speed limit, but both have full length ramps:
http://maps.google.no/?ll=59.934516,10.436969&spn=0.010836,0.033023&t=h&z=16&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=59.934646,10.436743&panoid=MS5vWIb0ZBJh--2IDtglbQ&cbp=12,321.52,,0,9.47
http://maps.google.no/?ll=60.091492,11.209917&spn=0.021569,0.066047&t=h&z=15&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=60.091524,11.210174&panoid=dByXq_U1skhZV0jJ6smPZQ&cbp=12,82.26,,0,24.04

ElviS77

September 7th, 2011, 05:08 PM

Actually, this interchange was built in 1978.

http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafikplats_Kropp

I stand corrected.

Dahlis

September 7th, 2011, 11:02 PM

Where do you drive then? They are common along E4 (south of Sthlm, that is). Not to mention the 2+1 roads.

I have probably seen them but not considered them dangerous.

Uppsala

September 7th, 2011, 11:44 PM

^^
They are dangerous. Most people are driving at least 120 km/h at the motorways. Very often they are driving faster. Specially the new motorways have narrow shoulders. And many junctions dont have any junctions with a braking lane. But if they didnt exists, we shouldnt have motorways there at all, and that shuld be worse.

Many of the new motorways are built with bad quality only for saving money and for political reasons. Beacause some political partys in Sweden think no new motorways should be built. So they are building motorways in bad quality instead and very basic. But the problems are, if they didn't built the motorways very basic and in bad quality, we should not have a motorway network today. So we must be happy to have a motorway network, but with motorways in bad quality instead.

kalle_sg

September 8th, 2011, 09:56 AM

If the ramps have a right angle and are long enough they are ok, and my experience tells me that most of them are (not all of them, though). One can enter them at a regular cruising speed (110-120) and slow down when on the ramp already. On the other hand an exit lane is much more convenient, that's for sure.

I guess saving on the road quality isn't in line with Vision Zero, but then again - maybe they accept lower standards due to relatively low congestion? I mean, it's not like they don't know how to build a proper motorway. E4 near Uppsala meets quite high standards.

ChrisZwolle

September 8th, 2011, 10:58 AM

Today it's 58 years ago the first motorway "autostrada" of Sweden opened between Malmö and Lund, currently known as E22. It was indeed the first motorway in all of Scandinavia.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Construction_of_a_motorway_in_Sweden_1952-1954.jpg/800px-Construction_of_a_motorway_in_Sweden_1952-1954.jpg

Schweden

September 8th, 2011, 04:47 PM

IIRC, it will be re-built to 3+3 soon? Or maybe they have already begun?

Dahlis

September 9th, 2011, 09:23 PM

kanterberg

September 10th, 2011, 12:39 PM

E18 Sagån - Enköping

This 14 km section of new motorway opened for traffic in October last year. It has been discussed here previously, but I don't think any pictures have been posted before.

http://forumbilder.se/images/82020111217510dc8.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)http://forumbilder.se/images/0702011123052c456.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
Overview.

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/4230/kartahogupploste18sagan.jpg

The new motorway includes two new junctions, 13 bridges and two tunnels. The cost for this project was 720 million SEK (≈80 million EUR). AADT around 17000, speed limit 120 km/h.

http://forumbilder.se/images/2902011115028a0dd.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
1.

http://forumbilder.se/images/d702011115137775e.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
2.

http://forumbilder.se/images/7e02011115230f2e3.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
3.

http://forumbilder.se/images/ea020111153068a46.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
4. Narrow shoulders...

http://forumbilder.se/images/170201111585631fc.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
5.

http://forumbilder.se/images/9c0201111595682b9.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
6. This section of motorway includes rest areas for bouth eastbound and westbound traffic.

http://forumbilder.se/images/12020111201537dc1.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
7.

http://forumbilder.se/images/81020111154324844.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
8. Entering Uppsala county and Enköping municipality. The Frösvi tunnel i 220 m long.

http://forumbilder.se/images/3e02011120444e5db.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
9. Both the median and the shoulders have steel cable type barriers along this stretch.

http://forumbilder.se/images/62020111206198b8c.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
10. The Ullunda tunnel ahead, 170 m long.

http://forumbilder.se/images/20020111208041f7c.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
11.

http://forumbilder.se/images/9f0201112032240b2.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
12.

http://forumbilder.se/images/9e020111209593193.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
13. Exit here for Enköping city center. Indirect sign for road 70.

http://forumbilder.se/images/df02011121149092d.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
14.

http://forumbilder.se/images/01020111213138d0a.jpg (http://forumbilder.se)
15. "Nattöppet" = open 24h. This is where the new motorway adds on to the older Enköping-Stockholm motorway.

ChrisZwolle

September 10th, 2011, 12:50 PM

Thanks for the report :) The tunnels look nice. They could've made an open-cut but it looks better this way.

staff

September 10th, 2011, 12:50 PM

IIRC, it will be re-built to 3+3 soon? Or maybe they have already begun?

They have been talking about since about when I was born (mid 80s). :lol:

Not sure what's actually going now though as I don't live in Sweden anymore.

kanterberg

September 10th, 2011, 06:44 PM

Thanks for the report :) The tunnels look nice. They could've made an open-cut but it looks better this way.

I guess wildlife passage was the main reason for doing it this way, but it sure looks nice too. :)

Aphelion

September 10th, 2011, 10:26 PM

Page 2 in this PDF document shows the two currently used types of cross-sections for rural motorways: http://www.trafikverket.se/TrvSeFiler/Foretag/Bygga_och_underhalla/Vag/Vagutformning/Dokument_vag_och_gatuutformning/Vagar_och_gators_utformning/Sektion_landsbygd-vagrum/05_vagtyper.pdf

For the soon finished motorway on the E6 from Vellinge southwards to Maglarp (just north of Trelleborg), this cross-section will be used: http://www.trafikverket.se/PageFiles/17751/Typsektion_21,5m_E6_Trelleborg_Vellinge.pdf.
The wider shoulder is probably due to the high truck share - Trelleborg is a major port towards continental Europe.

Trilesy

September 11th, 2011, 04:45 AM

E18 Sagån - Enköping

http://forumbilder.se/images/9e020111209593193.jpg

http://forumbilder.se/images/df02011121149092d.jpg

I like the general color scheme on Swedish signs. They look fresh and appealing.

The pavement looks nice, but not as good as some other 1 year-old highways. I'm assuming they might be using a special, more durable type of asphalt (considering harsh winters in Sweden).

Durin

September 12th, 2011, 02:04 PM

Great photos kanterberg. This part really needed the upgrade. When I lived in the area, I remember that the old route, especially before it was converted to 2+1 some 10 years ago or so, was a major bottleneck and a major trucking route. If I remember correctly it did include one of these old cold war-era landing strips which was really the only place where you could safely overtake.

The pavement looks nice, but not as good as some other 1 year-old highways. I'm assuming they might be using a special, more durable type of asphalt (considering harsh winters in Sweden).

That's what new asphalt looks like in Sweden after its first winter, as the use of studded snow tyres is very common over here.

Trilesy

September 12th, 2011, 07:38 PM

That's what new asphalt looks like in Sweden after its first winter, as the use of studded snow tyres is very common over here.

Now that makes sense. I forgot about the existence of studded tires. I hope they don't use these.

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/5052/tirestud5.jpg

Just kidding...

Fargo Wolf

September 12th, 2011, 08:08 PM

^^ DO WANT!!!!

metasmurf

September 14th, 2011, 09:52 PM

Today it's 58 years ago the first motorway "autostrada" of Sweden opened between Malmö and Lund, currently known as E22. It was indeed the first motorway in all of Scandinavia...

Don't forget the Sweden's first "motorway", built in the late 40's between Gothenburg and Alingsås (todays E20). The ramps are tight and short, and there are also at-grade crossings. Also noticeable is the bad curvature, nowhere near todays motorway standards. Some of the stretch has already been rebuilt to real motorway, while the rest is under way.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/E20_between_Floda_and_Alingsas.JPG/800px-E20_between_Floda_and_Alingsas.JPG

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Bj%C3%B6rkhaga,+Lerum,+Sverige&daddr=E20&hl=sv&ie=UTF8&ll=57.912057,12.510015&spn=0.126936,0.445976&sll=57.87871,12.480695&sspn=0.126141,0.445976&geocode=FT5gcgMdMqu9AClP013hPFRFRjFpf29iPdhePQ%3BFc_XcwMdXiy_AA&vpsrc=0&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=12&t=m&z=12

kanterberg

September 21st, 2011, 07:45 PM

The state budget for 2012 was presented to Parliament yesterday and with it came some interesting road-related news. It turns out the first real "payment" to the Stockholm region from the congestion charge surplus will be made next year. The government has earmarked 1,234 billion SEK (≈ 135 million) for 2012 and roughly 1 billion yearly for the coming three years, for infrastructure projects in the Stockholm region. The surplus from the congestion charge will not affect the amounts for regular state infrastructure funding in the region, according to the budget.

I imagine most of it will be used for the Stockholm bypass, but the widening of the E4 north of Stockholm to 4X4 lanes is also said to be paid for by "congestion charge surplus" money.

Schweden

September 21st, 2011, 09:16 PM

Great news. Hopefully the congestion charge in Gothenburg will lead to similar projects... Like connecting Gothenburg and Stockholm with a motorway.

IceCheese

September 23rd, 2011, 11:15 PM

Ingenioren

September 23rd, 2011, 11:29 PM

Great news. Hopefully the congestion charge in Gothenburg will lead to similar projects... Like connecting Gothenburg and Stockholm with a motorway.

That isn't exactly a simular project. Frankly i think Göteborg needs a bypass just as much as Stockholm...

MattiG

September 24th, 2011, 07:56 AM

The state is behind the Stockholm congestion charge? Isn't that a local matter?!

It is not a local matter, but a state initiative, yes. In fact, its official name is not a charge but a tax. Thus, if you drive in the Stockholm downtown, a new road might be built elsewhere.

Even the positions of the toll gates are listed in the respective law agreed by the parliament. That has turned an obstacle against setting up a car ferry connection between Nacka and Frihamnen, as it would require a new toll gate at Frihamnenn. That would need a change to the law.

rarse

September 24th, 2011, 11:20 AM

i think Göteborg needs a bypass just as much as Stockholm...

You mean on the eastern side?

Ingenioren

September 24th, 2011, 09:38 PM

Aubviously:)

Fargo Wolf

September 26th, 2011, 02:46 AM

Don't forget the Sweden's first "motorway", built in the late 40's between Gothenburg and Alingsås (todays E20). The ramps are tight and short, and there are also at-grade crossings. Also noticeable is the bad curvature, nowhere near todays motorway standards.

But that was back when speeds were generally a lot lower and the definition of "motorway" was much different than today.

NordikNerd

September 26th, 2011, 09:02 AM

But that was back when speeds were generally a lot lower and the definition of "motorway" was much different than today.

The first motorway in Sweden opened in 1953, Lund-Malmö.

That is rather late compared to Germany where their first motorway was inaugurated already in 1932.

But as you write no regular car would probably go faster than about 70-80 km/h those days, so the tag motorway could be discussed, still the earliest motorways may have looked like the motorways of today.

Uppsala

September 26th, 2011, 11:49 AM

The first motorway in Sweden opened in 1953, Lund-Malmö.

That is rather late compared to Germany where their first motorway was inaugurated already in 1932.

But as you write no regular car would probably go faster than about 70-80 km/h those days, so the tag motorway could be discussed, still the earliest motorways may have looked like the motorways of today.

The motorway from Malmö to Lund was the first official motorway. But E20 (former Riksväg 6) from Göteborg to Alingsås is older. That was built in 1940s and it was not a real motorway but it looked like a motorway. :)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/E20_between_Floda_and_Alingsas.JPG/1000px-E20_between_Floda_and_Alingsas.JPG

kanterberg

September 26th, 2011, 08:18 PM

There is a very simple reason for this very complicated situation: the courts ruled that the charge was in fact a tax, and the way the Swedish tax code works a municipality can only levy taxes on its own citizens. Therefore, the only way the charge could be introduced was if the central government did it, which it did: congestion tax (trängselskatt).

However, and this is kind of important: there has always been political consensus that the surplus will be reserved for investments in the Stockholm region. At first, the funds were earmarked for both road and public transport investments, after the centre-right government came into power in 2006 that was changed to investments in road projects only.

It is not a local matter, but a state initiative, yes. In fact, its official name is not a charge but a tax. Thus, if you drive in the Stockholm downtown, a new road might be built elsewhere.

I don't know exactly what you mean by that, but if your point is that the money could go to just about any new road in the whole country, that is clearly wrong.