Pictures, Comments, stories, etc.
Thank you for looking into this project.
Highways are interesting, not only because its above ground but also because of the toll!
Welcome all! :master: :master: :master: :master: :master: :master: :master:

Highways around here are typically only elevated when they interchange, and theres not a single toll road in north carolina. Im going to go crazy if the proposed toll on the eastern wake expressway takes effect, tax those freakin passer-by's on 95 that dont spend any other money in the state.

This is an incredible highway in pakistan linking it to China. Its some 700-800 kms long and passes through some of the worlds highest mountain ranges reaching an altitude of 4733m(15524 ft).

It is labelled as the "highest metalled border crossing in the world".

At some of the places, it reaches heights of around 2000ft of vertical drop with the Indus river.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/karakoram01.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/kkh.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/kkh2.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/kkh23.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/kkh9.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/kkh21.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/normal_010Karakoram20Highway20Indus.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/kkh28.jpg

Sorry, i messed up the pics in the posting above
anyone out there with " posting pix for newbies"
:lol: :runaway:

and this is a highway bridge in france

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h53/kbboy101/showletter13sh.jpg

^^ In reality, it doesn't make that impressive curve, of course: this shot was probably taken through a fish-eye lens.

Another shot:

http://www.azurs.net/photos/viaduc_millau.jpg

Millau bridge is amazing. But only two suspension spans? I always thought there were more.

EDIT: nevermind, it was still under construction in that picture. I see the steel support towers.

Finally got it right and edited the first post :)

^^ In reality, it doesn't make that impressive curve, of course: this shot was probably taken through a fish-eye lens.


Donno, havent seen it yet... but it is surely one of the highest highways bridges.. but one thing though, it is technically a bridge not a simple elevated highway..so donno if it counts in it or not

And there are (as you can see on the picture I linked). The above one shows the bridge u/c.

Imigrantes Highway, São Paulo, Brazil:


http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2171/30mz.jpg



http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/7875/22pe.jpg



http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/39/12uf1.jpg

Foresthill Bridge - Auburn Ca

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/nathanh6686/foresthill.jpg

Keep it coming
Ill post pictures soon enough :okay:

Here's the highest interstate in the United States...I-70 in Colorado

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c7/DSCN5526_eisenhowertunneleastentrance_e.jpg

The Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel is located approximately sixty miles west of Denver, Colorado on Interstate 70. It is the highest vehicular tunnel in the world, located at an elevation of 11,013 feet at the East Portal and 11,158 feet at the West Portal. The Tunnel traverses through the Continental Divide at an average elevation of 11,112 feet. The facility lies entirely within the Arapaho National Forest and is divided by two counties, Clear Creek County at the East portal and Summit county at the West portal.

More info on this link

http://www.dot.state.co.us/Eisenhower/description.asp

Trail Ridge Road in Colorado is pretty high... (U.S. 36)

http://morninglight.us/photos/standard/rmnp/spring/Trail%20Ridge%20Road.jpg

I think the highest highways are in Tibet.

I think the highest highways are in Tibet.

perhaps some jeepable roads.

But as far as i know, there is one highway in south america and the other is the karakoram highway in pakistan, that qualify as highest highways(paved roads).

Sbarn, any idea how high is that road in colorado?

perhaps some jeepable roads.

But as far as i know, there is one highway in south america and the other is the karakoram highway in pakistan, that qualify as highest highways(paved roads).

Sbarn, any idea how high is that road in colorado?
how stupid.
Tibet has very high qulity expressways.I will post some pics later.

perhaps some jeepable roads.

But as far as i know, there is one highway in south america and the other is the karakoram highway in pakistan, that qualify as highest highways(paved roads).

Sbarn, any idea how high is that road in colorado?

Some Tibet roads，I think at least they are much better than the roads in your pics.

http://files.photojerk.com/chinaphoto/Tibetroad/01.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/chinaphoto/Tibetroad/02.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/chinaphoto/Tibetroad/03.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/chinaphoto/Tibetroad/04.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/chinaphoto/Tibetroad/05.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/chinaphoto/Tibetroad/06.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/chinaphoto/Tibetroad/07.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/chinaphoto/Tibetroad/08.jpg
http://files.photojerk.com/chinaphoto/Tibetroad/09.jpg

http://files.photojerk.com/chinaphoto/Tibetroad/12.JPG

how stupid.

:bash:


Some Tibet roads，I think at least they are much better than the roads in your pics.

We are not comparing quality here but elevation. I think 4733m is more than 4659m.

So tibet has some beautiful high mountanious roads , but not the highest.

Any1 from south america, plz confirm the highest highway there?

:bash:



We are not comparing quality here but elevation. I think 4733m is more than 4659m.

So tibet has some beautiful high mountanious roads , but not the highest.

Any1 from south america, plz confirm the highest highway there?

the pic show 4659m,then you will say this is the highest of Tibet?

of course not the highest of Tibet.just not taking photoes of higher place.

the average of a road in Tibet is 4000 meters.and the highest place may reach 5000 meters or more.

would be wonderfull if u could confirm that and post some pics of the 5000M+ highway

very good :)

There's several passes above 5000 meters in Tibet, i believe the highest is 5348, but there not on the Golmud-Lhasa-Nepali border highway from the pictures above, and the conditions are definetly as good. But some of them will be very soon.
So talking about highways, maybe the Karakoram, but the highest roads are in Tibet although the road from India to Kashmir has >5000 passes aswell.
Sorry i can't post any picturesat the moment.

Karakoram being the highest road in the world is a rural legend. :yes:

^^ i m not claiming kkh to be the highest, though i found some articles which say it is.

the following text appears on the pilot guides website:

"The Karakoram is the highest highway in the world. Linking Pakistan with China, it took 30 years to build and is truly one of the greatest feats of engineering since the Pyramids.
"
SOURCE:http://www.pilotguides.com/destination_guide/asia/pakistan/cycling_the_karakorum_highway.php

btw, even pakistan has a lot of passes upto 6000m and roads that are higher than kkh, but imo they dont qualify for paved highways.

i'm still waiting for some one to confirm the highest highway in south america.

The highest highway of the American continent:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-American_Highway

Nice work
BTW: Next time, try to post the original thing if you can

Foresthill Bridge - Auburn Ca

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/nathanh6686/foresthill.jpg

Oh my goodness! I won't dare to go up here, with my fear of heights.... :runaway:

Oh my goodness! I won't dare to go up here, with my fear of heights.... :runaway:
Why fear?

In France, the highest highway in the "A75" (the viaduc of Millau takes part of this highway). The highest point is the "Col de la Fageole" (near the city of St Flour) with 1114 meters.

http://www2.puy-de-dome.equipement.gouv.fr/images/A75/a75cart4.jpg

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/2343/a759aa.jpg

The road just beside the Highway:
http://idata.over-blog.com/0/02/81/07/site-meteo.jpg
http://www.skipass.com/photos/imagebank/20491.jpg


In the French alps there is a highway project (A51: from Grenoble to Aix en Provence). The highest point is the "Col Bayard" (near the city of Gap) with 1248 meters:
http://cineandtv.free.fr/a51/carterelief2.png
http://www.geol-alp.com/gap_digne/_photos/_gapencais_photos/781107_bayard_faraud_5.jpg

Großglockner Hochalpenstraße (2.576 m)

http://www.foto-julius.at/alps/a60+.jpg

http://www.foto-julius.at/alps/a59+.jpg

http://www.foto-julius.at/alps/a78+.jpg

http://www.foto-julius.at/alps/a79+.jpg

http://www.foto-julius.at/alps/a83+.jpg

http://www.foto-julius.at/alps/a91+.jpg

very nice

Beautiful work

The highest point of a French road is 2802m:
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2883/cartebonnete6zk.jpg
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/8523/bonette1rr.jpg


The Europe's highest road is in Spain in the Sierra Nevada at the "Pico del Veleta" (3398m):
http://www.therucksack.net/maps/veleta.jpg
http://www2.uah.es/gifa/fotos/pace8.jpg

Nice :okay:

Great roads! :applause:

Sweet pics:D:D

The Qinghai-Xizang highway has an average height of over 4000m, the road to cross over 3 high mountains with some road's highest point as 4700m in Kunlun Range, 4800m in Fenghuo Mountain, 5150m in Tangula Range (Yakou). It's world's highest paved highway.

The Xinjiang-Xizang (Xinzang) highway has an average height of over 4500m. Its highest point is 5433m! (It was mistaken as 6700m, but using GPS to measure as 5433m altitude). It's world highest unpaved highway. It was built in 1957.

Xinzang highway

http://auto.scol.com.cn/html/2005/11/pic/002027001001_523301_1.jpg

http://auto.scol.com.cn/html/2005/11/pic/002027001001_523301_2.jpg

http://auto.scol.com.cn/html/2005/11/pic/002027001001_523301_3.jpg

http://auto.scol.com.cn/html/2005/11/pic/002027001001_523301_4.jpg

The world highest paved highway, QInghai-Xizang Highway.

The highest point is Tanggula Mountain section, which is 5231m altitude

google some pictures of this section
http://blog.tibet.cn/user1/1410/upload/200512168857.jpg

The road sign says it's 5231m in altitude
http://blog.tibet.cn/user1/1410/upload/200512167764.jpg


http://blog.tibet.cn/user1/1410/upload/200512163714.jpg


http://blog.tibet.cn/user1/1410/upload/200512166078.jpg

There is also world's highest railroad!
http://blog.tibet.cn/user1/1410/upload/200512166078.jpg

It is located on the board of QInghai and Xizang
http://blog.tibet.cn/user1/1410/upload/200512168139.jpg

http://blog.tibet.cn/user1/1410/upload/200512167550.jpg


Fenghuo Mountaing
http://blog.tibet.cn/user1/1410/upload/200512168002.jpg

Road through Kunlun Range
http://blog.tibet.cn/user1/1410/upload/200512163557.jpg

Qingzang highway. The metal sticks are used to prevent frozen of the roadbed
http://photo.tibet.cn/cn/photo/412/228/20050524222243722385.jpg

http://photo.tibet.cn/cn/photo/412/228/20060401090144604200.jpg

Beautiful highways in Xizang
http://photo.tibet.cn/cn/photo/510/283/20060226205659133450.jpg

Near Lasa
http://www.yamaha-motor.com.cn/rally-raid/discover-china/img/pictures/pic_yangbajain001.jpg

I found this Qinghai-Xizang Highway height diagram. It clearly show all the high points of the road.

The left end is Germu city (2815m altitude) in Qinghai, and the right end is Lasa city ( 3654m altitude) in Xizang (Tibet). The total length of this section of the Highway is 1160 Km!

The 3 high points from left to right are Kunlun Range 4765m altitude, Fenghuo Mountain 5010m altitude, Tanggula Range 5231m altitude

http://www.7880.com/Upload/2004_Pack/6622_06_b13.jpg

BTW, IIRC, the first French bridge is not le Pont de Millau.

I think the question should be cleared out if it's at grade highway in terms of elevation or grade separated highway in terms of the difference in elevation of the grade and elevation of highway itself.

Just for the record:
According to my Polyglott Road Atlas Europe, the highest Austrian pass is the Timmelsjoch between the Northern Tyrol (Austria) and Southern Tyrol (Italy)
(2474m don't seem too impressive compared to Tibet, but I liked it.)

http://wwwcs.uni-paderborn.de/StaffWeb/bb/pics/italientour2000/film-4/timmelsjoch-anfahrt.jpg

http://www.toureninfo.de/reiseberichte/dolomiten7-01/timmelsjoch.jpg

http://www.mrtl.ch/Pic/3T2003/Timmelsjoch-2.jpg

http://www.matthias-jung.de/images%202003/timmelsjoch19.jpg

http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/anton/photos/alpen2005/small/img_2221.jpg

http://iason.zcu.cz/~lederbuc/bike/alps/photos/176.jpg

If you arrive at the pass from Austria, don't bother visiting the rather ugly restaurant at the border, but get out of the car, walk across the inner-Schengen border and only stop for a break when you are in Italy and arrive at a small inn to the right of the street. It is cosy, it is sunny, you can enjoy a great view, you'll have great local food. And even though you are in Italy you will still hear the same German dialect.

Beautiful :okay:

BTW, IIRC, the first French bridge is not le Pont de Millau.

What do you mean by "the first French bridge is not le Pont de Millau" ?
The first picture of a bridge in this tread or the first in term of "highest bridge in France", in term of ... ?

The Xinjiang-Xizang (Xinzang) highway has an average height of over 4500m. Its highest point is 5433m! (It was mistaken as 6700m, but using GPS to measure as 5433m altitude). It's world highest unpaved highway. It was built in 1957.

http://auto.scol.com.cn/html/2005/11/pic/002027001001_523301_4.jpg

Absolutely great pics there :)

Just one thing though, How comes a highway on 5433m altitude has no snow at all but have grasses around? :?

Coz almost all altitudes above 5000m are perpetually covered in snow even in summers.

Yes that 6700m is definitely a mistake otherwise people wouldnt have to climb the 7000m mountains; they could just drive on them.

Good Job

What do you mean by "the first French bridge is not le Pont de Millau" ?
The first picture of a bridge in this tread or the first in term of "highest bridge in France", in term of ... ?
In term of highway

I'm not sure of the statistics.. but i remember reading somewhere that Manali-Leh Highway in India is the highest motorable road in the world.. I mean there is a particular pass which is the highest ( i dont even remember the name of the pass).

By the way, i think that this road has recently been upgraded to "Highway" status.. again not sure .. and at the moment i cannot substantiate with figures, but will try to get more info within next coule of days

Tibet has roads?

Just for the record:
According to my Polyglott Road Atlas Europe, the highest Austrian pass is the Timmelsjoch between the Northern Tyrol (Austria) and Southern Tyrol (Italy)
(2474m don't seem too impressive compared to Tibet, but I liked it.)

^^ I don't think your atlas is correct... Hochtor on the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is 2505m high. And you can also take a paved road to the Edelweissspitze, which is over 2600m high.

how stupid.
Tibet has very high qulity expressways.I will post some pics later.
So where are Tibet's expressways? None of the roads shown in your post are expressways.

Here are some pics i took on the Friendship Highway in Tibet, connecting Lhasa and Kathmandu. In general, the quality of the road is very good (although is has been reconstructed only recently). It has several 5200 meter high passes and there isn't any snow at all.

http://bart.users.balpol.tudelft.nl/hhf/IMG_5878.JPG

http://bart.users.balpol.tudelft.nl/hhf/IMG_5937.JPG
Gyatso-La pass: 5249 metres above sea level.

(For some more pics (including Mount Everest!) see here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=501322).)

the highest bridge in the world Milau Bridge in France

http://www.terrasol.com/Anglais/images/millau2004p.jpg

http://www.bernd-nebel.de/bruecken/3_bedeutend/millau/bilder/millau4.JPG

http://auto.scol.com.cn/html/2005/11/pic/002027001001_523301_1.jpg

http://auto.scol.com.cn/html/2005/11/pic/002027001001_523301_2.jpg


Is that car all-wheel drive?
How can it manage that??

This thread is dedicated to the highest motorways/expressways/freeways in your country. This thread is not meant for ordinary highways or non-motorway passes. Post info, pics & more. :)

The idea rose in the Spanish topic, so i'll start with España.

Spain
A40 Tarancón - Cuenca 1.150m
A23 Sagunt - Teruel 1.223m
AP-66 Oviedo - León 1.240m
AP-6 Madrid - Segovia/Ávila 1.275m
A92 Granada - Murcia 1.390m
A1 Madrid - Burgos 1.444m

The N339 and a small turing of go too 1993m.

CAN'T FIND ANY PICS. :(

Some pictures:

AP-6:

AP-6 in the woods
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2364/1497151004_0aafa0556b.jpg?v=0

AP-6 Túnel de Guadarrama
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1240/1345189573_d6132ce2da.jpg?v=0

I noticed the AP-6 height has a tunnel underneath. It is likely the AP-6 figure is lower than stated above.

A2 near Maastricht? :D

the highest evelation of the Struma motorway is also something with 1000+

USA - I-70 at west portal of Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel in Colorado: (approx) 3390m

(topo map)
http://www.terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=13&X=524&Y=5489&W=3

(aerial image)
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=39.677268,-105.941033&spn=0.017176,0.029182&t=k&z=15&om=1

Mike

The Guadarrama tunnel (highest point on AP-6) is actually at a height of 1.275 m at the San Rafael (northern) entrance. That's 225m lower than the pass.

for Croatia i know that highest point at A6 is Dedin, 860 masl. it is not full profile of motorway yet, but it's being upgraded (2008. it will be full profile). i'll check if A1 has higher point in tunnel Sveti Rok, but i doubt.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o197/deko1243/DSC_6903.jpg

Sveti Rok is at 561m at it highest point, according to the Polish wikipedia.

Some of the highest motorway/expressways are in Mexico, where there are over 3000m.

USA - I-70 at west portal of Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel in Colorado: (approx) 3390m

(topo map)
http://www.terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=13&X=524&Y=5489&W=3

(aerial image)
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=39.677268,-105.941033&spn=0.017176,0.029182&t=k&z=15&om=1

Mike

that´s just unbelievable

SpainAP-66 Oviedo - León 1.240m
Some pics near its highest point.

Tunel del Negrón (4,100m, it's the border between Asturias and Castilla y León)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/2/1477468_cd6ebdc6fc.jpg?v=0

Bridge over Barrios de Luna reservoir
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1038/569485107_bffb44c0c4.jpg

stumming motorway, great mounains

Some pics near its highest point.

Tunel del Negrón (4,100m, it's the border between Asturias and Castilla y León)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/2/1477468_cd6ebdc6fc.jpg?v=0
That's just the tunnel's length, not its altitude, right?

Mike

yes it is only the length.

That's just the tunnel's length, not its altitude, right?
Yeah, of course. There is no place in the Iberian Peninsula over 3,500m height.

In that point, it's around 1,200m height. In the other side of the tunnel starts the plateau of Castile.

United States
I-5 Los Angeles - Sacramento -> Tejon pass 1.275m
I-15 San Bernardino - Barstow -> Cajon Summit 1.298m
I-5 Sacramento - Portland -> Siskiyou Summit 1.314m
I-90 Spokane - Butte -> Lookout Pass 1.441m
I-15 San Bernardino - Las Vegas -> Mountain pass 1.442m
I-80 Reno - Salt Lake City -> Golconda summit 1.567m
I-80 Reno - Salt Lake City -> Silver Zone pass 1.816m
I-80 Reno - Salt Lake City -> Emigrant Pass 1.864m
I-15 Butte - Great Falls -> Elk Park Pass 1.941m
I-15 Idaho Falls - Butte -> Monida Pass 2.095m
I-80 Reno - Salt Lake City -> Pequop summit 2.122m
I-25 Albuquerque - Denver -> Raton Pass 2.388m
I-70 Grand Junction - Denver -> Eisenhower tunnel 3.401m

We have no high motorways...I suspect the highest would be around 4-500metres...though I have no official data(cant find).

Chris, why didn't you start with Dutch motorways? :D

The N339 and a small turing of go too 1993m.

This thread is not meant for ordinary highways or non-motorway passes.


I noticed the AP-6 height has a tunnel underneath. It is likely the AP-6 figure is lower than stated above.

Same happens in the spanish A1, although in that case the tunnel is much shorter, so the different of heights won't be very big.

Does Ausria or swizz have any high motorways, or do they follow the deep river valleys which don´t go higher than 1000 m usually?

Some photo's of Spanish AP-6 at the Guadarrama tunnel:

North side entrance(actually nowadays this is no longer the entrance because they replaced the north-south tunnel with a new one with 3 lanes):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Nephasto/DSCN3988.jpg


And now some photo's of the southern approach to the tunnel:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Nephasto/DSCN4050.jpg

If you want to take the N-VI (national road, without toll), avoiding the tunnel but having to higher in the mointain, this is the exit:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Nephasto/DSCN4051.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Nephasto/DSCN4052.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Nephasto/DSCN4053.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Nephasto/DSCN4054.jpg

This one looks awesome

USA - I-70 at west portal of Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel in Colorado: (approx) 3390m

(topo map)
http://www.terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=13&X=524&Y=5489&W=3

(aerial image)
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=39.677268,-105.941033&spn=0.017176,0.029182&t=k&z=15&om=1

Mike

This is probably the highest motorway in the world. The first time I saw the height of the Eisenhower tunnel, I actually thought it was a mistake.

I still can't figure out how the I-70 can climb that much... does anyone have some photos?

This is probably the highest motorway in the world. The first time I saw the height of the Eisenhower tunnel, I actually thought it was a mistake.

I still can't figure out how the I-70 can climb that much... does anyone have some photos?
The figure of 3401m that Chriszwolle posted may be closer to correct, I was just going by what the topo map showed. Colorado is itself a very high altitude state and it is just several sections of loooooooong 6% grades leading up to the tunnel. A bit to the west, I-70 also reaches 3251m at the summit of Vail Pass, just east of Vail, CO (*NO* tunnel).

Denver, CO is about 1600m in altitude.

As for photos, a Google search should yield plenty.

What is the highest point on the Swiss autobahn network?

Mike

For the ones I know in Canada:
BC-5 Hope - Merritt -> Coquihalla Summit 1,244m
AB-1 Calgary - Banff -> Scott Lake Hill 1,410m
BC-5 Merritt - Kamloops -> Clapperton Creek Summit 1,445m
BC-97C Merritt - Peachland -> Pennask Summit 1,728m

Some of the highest motorway/expressways are in Mexico, where there are over 3000m.

That's correct, after having a look at Google Earth as well as some topo maps, here is the info:

* MEX190D (Mexico City - Puebla) -> Llano Grande, 3254m
* MEX15D (Mexico City - Toluca) -> Puerto Las Cruces, 3176m (although there is a highway sign that sets the altitude at 3035m)
* MEX95D (Mexico City - Cuernavaca) -> Puerto La Cima, 3054m

Data is approximate, but it's certain that they are above the 3000m mark.

Chris, why didn't you start with Dutch motorways? :D

Because it's just sad how low they are :D

Maybe we win in the lowest motorway! A20 near Rotterdam -6m. :lol:

We have no high motorways...I suspect the highest would be around 4-500metres...though I have no official data(cant find).

frankly - i'm not sure in that, i think that existing hungarian motorways don't go over 250 m

The A25 in Portugal goes over 1000m I think but i'm not sure...

I doubt it.
Xining to Lasa Motoway has average elevation over 4000M

^^ Is that motorway/autobahn?

Because it's just sad how low they are :D

Maybe we win in the lowest motorway! A20 near Rotterdam -6m. :lol:

Haha. :lol: But very few motorways can beat that! ;)

P.S.: answer my PM. :D

The figure of 3401m that Chriszwolle posted may be closer to correct, I was just going by what the topo map showed. Colorado is itself a very high altitude state and it is just several sections of loooooooong 6% grades leading up to the tunnel. A bit to the west, I-70 also reaches 3251m at the summit of Vail Pass, just east of Vail, CO (*NO* tunnel).

Aren't there many problem in winter with the snow? Isn't it very usual for the interstate to be cut because of the snow?



The A25 in Portugal goes over 1000m I think but i'm not sure...

I'm quite sure it doesn't reach 1000, because it's highest point (near Guarda) has only some around 800/900m.

Aren't there many problem in winter with the snow? Isn't it very usual for the interstate to be cut because of the snow?





I'm quite sure it doesn't reach 1000, because it's highest point (near Guarda) has only some around 800/900m.

Well it's not bad.

* MEX190D (Mexico City - Puebla) -> Llano Grande, 3254m
* MEX15D (Mexico City - Toluca) -> Puerto Las Cruces, 3176m (although there is a highway sign that sets the altitude at 3035m)
* MEX95D (Mexico City - Cuernavaca) -> Puerto La Cima, 3054m
Wow, are there any pics available?

Unfortunately I have only driven in the flat Yucatan.

Aren't there many problem in winter with the snow? Isn't it very usual for the interstate to be cut because of the snow?
CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) is very good at keeping I-70 open in winter.

Mike

Some Interstates in Wyoming/Montana have barriers in case of extreme blizzards, dust storms and high violent winds.

Because it's just sad how low they are :D

Maybe we win in the lowest motorway! A20 near Rotterdam -6m. :lol:
Interestingly, in the USA, I-8 bottoms out at about -14m at interchange 107 just west of El Centro, CA. It is in the Salton Sea basin. That is the lowest 'surface' motorway in the USA.

There are underwater tunnels in the USA, especially in the northeast, that bottom out at about -27m.

Mike

I thought this would be about highest elevated freeways above the ground for some reason :S

Anyone one know what they are?

^^ I think the French A75 will win that, at least in Europe...

The roadway on the Viaduc de Millau is 270m above the ground.

Our viaduct on M7 at Kőröshegy "only" does 88m above the valley...

Viaduc du Millau is the highest in the world.

in Croatia it is 125 m high viaduct Limska Draga at A9 (btw itßs 552 m long)

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w296/squirrelri/DSC07202.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w296/squirrelri/DSC07219.jpg

Poland here :)

Well... assuming we have any "serious" motorways/expressways, the highest now-ready expressway at about 450m is the S69 (half-profile, near Wegierska Gorka in the Beskidy mountains, close to Slovakian border). It's under construction now and will go up a bit, but I think it won't exceed 700m (near Milowka / Laliki and on the border crossing in Zwardon/Skalite). Also the S7 Krakow-Rabka/Nowy Targ won't be higher than that.
The highest full-profile expressway is the S1 between Bielsko-Biala and Cieszyn (near Czech border), having in some places around 370m...
The highest motorway: some 350-360m on the A4, crossing the St. Ann's Mountain near Strzelce Opolskie and also for some distance halfway from Katowice to Krakow.

Summing up ? FLAAAT.... ;-)

In Germany there are some impressive "Talbrücken" as well, e.g. on the A61.

The N339 and a small turing of go too 1993m.

CAN'T FIND ANY PICS. :(
Motorways = highways
:yes:
No national roads. Ok?
;)

Does Ausria or swizz have any high motorways, or do they follow the deep river valleys which don´t go higher than 1000 m usually?

North entrance of Taurentunnel on A10 reaches about 1300 to 1400 m above sea level. This August (and many more years back) there fell 10-20 cm of snow.

North entrance of Taurentunnel on A10 reaches about 1300 to 1400 m above sea level. This August (and many more years back) there fell 10-20 cm of snow.

this is the most amazing motorway I´ve travelled on, the landscape is like some deep Rila mountain valley there but a motorway leads there, quite amazing that they have constructed a motorway that leads through such difficult terrain but also bad that they damaged the environment there with that.

The Swiss A13/E43 is 1650 m above sea level. thats gotta be one of the higest in Europe?

^ I don't think the motorway part of it goes that high, only the 2-lane-expressway part of it.

The highest Swiss motorway should be the A2/E35 by the southern portal of the Gotthard Tunnel, at an altitude of about 1,140 m.

The Swiss A13/E43 is 1650 m above sea level. thats gotta be one of the higest in Europe?

As said, the A13 is not a motorway there. It has mostly 1 lane per direction.

Heading north, the motorway stops at Messoco-Sud, which is at approximatly 560m.

Heading south, the motorway stops at Thusis-Nord, which is at approximatly 670m.

North entrance of Taurentunnel on A10 reaches about 1300 to 1400 m above sea level. This August (and many more years back) there fell 10-20 cm of snow.

Snow in August at 1400m of altitude?!?

That's really weird. I've been several times in the Alps in August, and to see some snow/ice you usually have to go up to 3000m or more.

China will have one day full expressway to Lhasa. Now highest i can see with help of Google Earth is 2+2 lane stretch (but without grade-separated acces or control of access) ending in Daotanghe, that have 3470 m in highest point.
Some pics from flickr:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/409219184_f1c0e7977c_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/409218198_774b2a0a75_b.jpg

^^ The section pictured above doesnt seem anyway near to 3470m.

Snow in August at 1400m of altitude?!?

That's really weird.

It happens every few years. Of course, this snow quickly melts, but still makes big mess in holiday traffic.

^^It must be fun! :D

Llogara Pass is the highest road link in Albania, not exactly a highway but a very important road segment nonetheless. It's built around the hills of Llogara, 800 m above sea level, offering spectacular scenery.

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8334/sjezdllogprnajihin5.jpg

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/9103/llogarprlodzf4.jpg

This is probably the highest motorway in the world. The first time I saw the height of the Eisenhower tunnel, I actually thought it was a mistake.

I still can't figure out how the I-70 can climb that much... does anyone have some photos?

Colorado is a pretty high state (highest average elevation in the States) From Denver, it's about 100 kilometers west, so it's enough of a distance for it to climb to that height.

Next time I go up there, I'll bring my camera. :)

The highest point of Slovak highway system will be on highway D1 near town Štrba under High Tatras mountains. It will bemore than 900 m above the see level. However, there is many roads which are higher that this highway.

http://www.dialnice.info/album_pic.php?pic_id=3007
http://www.dialnice.info/album_pic.php?pic_id=3011

^^ Looks a bit depressing.

^^ Looks a bit depressing.

It's bad quality of the photos.

Well, I can add data for all motorways in the Czech Republic, so there they are:

D1 near Jihlava (km 104) - 655 masl
D2 near Brno (km 1) - 197 masl
D3 near Austrian border (planned, km 171) - 659 masl
D5 near German border (km 139) - 601 masl
D8 near German border (km 90) - 644 masl
D11 near Trutnov (planned, km 152) - 541 masl

We have also expressways and there may be some higher points, but I have no data about it ;)

^^ The section pictured above doesnt seem anyway near to 3470m.
Just take a note that snowline in tibet is near 5000 m. Two more pics from panoramio:
nearly Hairpin turns section
http://static4.bareka.com/photos/medium/3633071.jpg
hi res http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/3633071.jpg
sign on end:
http://static4.bareka.com/photos/medium/5820879/%E5%BF%98%E4%B9%8B%E6%AC%B2%E5%80%92.jpg

For the ones I know in Canada:
BC-5 Hope - Merritt -> Coquihalla Summit 1,244m
AB-1 Calgary - Banff -> Scott Lake Hill 1,410m
BC-5 Merritt - Kamloops -> Clapperton Creek Summit 1,445m
BC-97C Merritt - Peachland -> Pennask Summit 1,728m
^
I think most of these are 1+1 highways not motorways

This thread is not meant for ordinary highways or non-motorway passes.

A big section of the egnatia (A-2) motorway is running through the mountains, the motorway has in total 570 bridges, with a length of 41.6 Km, and 74(double tube) tunnels with a length of 100 km.
The highest bridge is the metsovitikos river bridge which is 110 m tall, and it's still u/c:

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/corfu_album/E10-07033.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/corfu_album/E10-07155.jpg

And the longest bridge of thε motorway is the arachthos bridge(u/c):

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/corfu_album/E10-07158.jpg

Regarding the lowest motorway, is could be in Norway. The tunnel called Festningstunnelen in Oslo reaches 45 m below sea level.

The highest motorway in Scandinavia is probably E4 north of Jönköping, at 280 m above sealevel.

Regarding the lowest motorway, is could be in Norway. The tunnel called Festningstunnelen in Oslo reaches 45 m below sea level.

The highest motorway in Scandinavia is probably E4 north of Jönköping, at 280 m above sealevel.
There are some underwater tunnels in the USA that may also be that low.

The lowest surface point on the USA's interstate system is on I-8 just west of interchange 107 near Seeley, CA (about -20 m).

Mike

The Burnley tunnel in Melbourne goes to 60m below sea level.

The highest (above sea level) freeway in South Africa would most likely be somewhere in Johannesburg, which is around 1700m above sea level.

The highest of all is, by my reckoning, the gravel road that goes up Sani Pass - 2850m where it tops out and goes into Lesotho.

The lowest freeway would be the N2, which follows the Indian Ocean coast from Cape Town to Durban and beyond, and consequently has several sections at sea level (most notably in Port Elizabeth). Some other freeways in Cape Town and Durban also qualify.

The I-70 reaches 3.401 meters above sea level in the Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado.

We have no high motorways...I suspect the highest would be around 4-500metres...though I have no official data(cant find).

I think you significantly misjudged it... :lol:

M1: 270m at Szárliget
M2: 200m at Vác
M3: 260m at Gödöllő
M7: 260m at Köröshegy

M0: 340m at Budakeszi (planned)
M10: 270m at Piliscsév (planned)

real breathtaking hights... :lol:

I think the meaning was 400-500m, in which case the estimate wasn't too far out.

I think the meaning was 400-500m, in which case the estimate wasn't too far out.

well, we are a plain country, we have no mountains only little hills (and valleys)

so we NEVER will have a motorway on 400m.
the only place where we have to go beyond 300m is the western section of the M0 motorway ring of Budapest...

http://img10.indafoto.hu/8/5/14925_5e2020a9be8dde3fd1fdd77c4d3b9762/1489955_298c0d558a546af8ba74281fe1113e95_xl.jpg

We don't have freeways over mountains either, we are too flat and unpopulated ;)

The highest freeway in Australia might be this section of the M79, near Woodend in Victoria. Elevation around 600m

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5789/35ym0.jpg

The highest motorway point (approx. at 670m) in Slovenia is on A1 (Ljubljana-Adriatic coast) between the exits Razdrto and Senožeče

The highest point of Slovak motorway network is on motorway D1, section Važec - Mengusovce, overpass no. 6, on hill called Vlčia jama in attitude 906 metres above the see level. Motorway is still U/C there, only one half of it for both directions is opened for now. Location in Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=49.068918,20.049963&spn=0.040375,0.077248&t=h&z=14&msid=103736049826817828962.00045390d90e51402c7a1

Some pictures:

The highest point is on the horizon:
http://www.dialnice.info/album_pic.php?pic_id=3370

Approaching...
http://www.dialnice.info/album_pic.php?pic_id=3377

This is the overpass No. 6:
http://www.dialnice.info/album_pic.php?pic_id=3378

What about the Netherlands. Maybe the A2, A76 or the A79?

A76 is at 180m in some places.

Wow :crazy:

The I-70 reaches 3.401 meters above sea level in the Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado.

Chris. According to the Colorado DOT web site on the I 70 Eisenhower Tunnel.
the average height above MSL is 11112 feet or 3387 meters. The western portal is at a slightly higher elevation.

Full description at www.state.co.us/eisenhower/description.asp

The Trans-Andes highway from Santiago to Mendoza reaches an elevation of 4000 meters above sea level.

The Trans-Andes highway from Santiago to Mendoza reaches an elevation of 4000 meters above sea level.

We are discussing only motorways/expressways here. Otherwise the karakoram highway in Pakistan goes upto 4700m+ and i think some road in china/tibet beats thats.

The highest expressway in Pakistan reaches about 2000-2200m. Its the Islamabad-muree expressway pictured below (not at its highest point though)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2624744415_0197dc8280_b.jpg

Does Ausria or swizz have any high motorways, or do they follow the deep river valleys which don´t go higher than 1000 m usually?

What is the highest point on the Swiss autobahn network?

Usually in Europe highways and railways cross the mountains with long tunnels (more than 10 km, to compare with the ~3 km Eisenhower tunnel).

The highest paved road in Switzerland is the Novena/Nufenen Pass (2480 m/8136 ft), the highest road opened all year long the Simplon (2005 m/6578 ft), the highest semi-highway the A13 (San Bernardino tunnel, 1625 m/5331 ft), the highest main highway the A2 (St Gotthard tunnel, 17 km, 1150 m/3773 ft).

However the Novena Pass was closed because of snow yesterday.

The Stelvio/Stilfser Pass road in Italy reaches 2758 m/9050 ft.

The lowest road must be one near the Dead Sea (400 m below sea level).

The lowest road tunnel in Norway is the Eiksund an -287 m and the Rogfast is planned to reach -350 m!

^^ Are you the guy from the lotschberg tunnel (http://home.no.net/lotsberg/) site?

No!

Anyway, Gunnar Lotsberg is the author of the site: http://home.no.net/lotsberg/bakgrunn.html

Lötschberg is a region (and a railway tunnel) in Switzerland.

^^ That's why I thought it might be your site, you also know a lot about tunnels :)

^^ Are you the guy from the lotschberg tunnel (http://home.no.net/lotsberg/) site?Gunnar Lotsberg is chief engineer of the Laerdaltunnel ;)

well, we are a plain country, we have no mountains only little hills (and valleys)

so we NEVER will have a motorway on 400m.
the only place where we have to go beyond 300m is the western section of the M0 motorway ring of Budapest...

http://img10.indafoto.hu/8/5/14925_5e2020a9be8dde3fd1fdd77c4d3b9762/1489955_298c0d558a546af8ba74281fe1113e95_xl.jpg

What about the future motorway to Eger?

The highest paved road in Switzerland is the Novena/Nufenen Pass (2480 m/8136 ft), the highest road opened all year long the Simplon (2005 m/6578 ft), the highest semi-highway the A13 (San Bernardino tunnel, 1625 m/5331 ft), the highest main highway the A2 (St Gotthard tunnel, 17 km, 1150 m/3773 ft).

The Brenner Autobahn is about 200 metres higher. Full profile motorway at 1374 m (the St Gotthard tunnel is of course, due to extreme Swiss stubbornness, still only single-tube, even though the motorway is 2+2 on both sides).

so its not the highway itself highest. right? are we talking about tall highways or highways on a maximum hight?(on the mountains for example)

First of all, in common meaning, a "highway" is not necessarily a "motorway" or "freeway" in all regions. In North America, a highway can mean just any connecting road, like US or State Highways.

So we're talking about motorway-grade roads (2 lanes per direction, divided by a median, grade-separated intersections and no slow or non-motorized traffic), which are on the highest altitude.

The highest paved road in Switzerland is the Novena/Nufenen Pass (2480 m/8136 ft)

Actually it's the Umbrail Pass at 2,501 m altitude:

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee119/Verso1/Umbrailpass.jpg

It's true though that the road leading to the rest of Switzerland isn't paved between 2,000 and 1,800 m.

The Nufenen is the highest pass with paved road.

There are other higher passes with only footpaths: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passo_del_Monte_Moro

Or without: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colle_del_Lys_(Alpi_Pennine)

Ah the Lysjoch. I once read a 1950's book about that :)

The highest point of our motorway network is on motorway D1 in Tatras near village called "Štrba". Approximately 903 m. about the sea level.

http://image.tvnoviny.sk/media/images///600xX/Sep2008//2001795.jpg

Probably one of the highest interchange (La Paz - Bolivia). Motorway No3 continue toward city center
http://i50.tinypic.com/2n0813d.jpg

Simón Bolívar Freeway in Quito, Ecuador has its highest point at about 3,170 meters amsl (elevations along its length vary from 2,650 to 3,170 meters amsl)

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/3813/cumbayaif0.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/1497/nult.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7512/quitoautopista.jpg


Transversal Norte Freeway (State Route E20) south of Quito, Ecuador has highest point at 3,165 meters amsl at the pass over the Western Andes range.

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/4007/amplaloagsd.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6227/quito880.jpg

Highest motorway in Canada:

Coquihalla (pronounced Coke-a-hall-a) Summit
Elevation 1,244 m (4,081 ft) in the Cascade Range.

For comparison though:

Kootenay Pass
Elevation 1,775 m (5,823 ft) This is the highest paved road in Canada.

Highest motorway in Canada:

Coquihalla (pronounced Coke-a-hall-a) Summit
Elevation 1,244 m (4,081 ft) in the Cascade Range.

For comparison though:

Kootenay Pass
Elevation 1,775 m (5,823 ft) This is the highest paved road in Canada.
While the highest motorway (if you can call it that) is the Coquihalla, Kootenay Pass is not the highest paved road. It is part of the Crowsnest Highway in BC.
Icefield Parkway (Highway 93) between Jasper and Banff, and at one point is 2,088 m at Bow Summit. The speed limit in most sections is about 100 km/h, which makes it a highway.
However, that is not the highest road/highway either, but it is the highest one open all year round.

The highest road is in Alberta at 2,206 m, and the part is called Highwood Pass on Highway 40. However, it is not open year round due to both snow clearing issues and significant wildlife on it. So it is only open from June 15 - November 30...but you can bike on it all year round.

The Coquihalla is a very dangerous "motorway", as it is not cambered/angled properly in turns and has lots of standing water which causes you to hydroplane every couple of seconds during heavy rainfall. It also has tons of potholes and isn't in that good of a condition.

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/6911/016055635big.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7061/016055631big.jpg

With up to 930 meters above seelevel the Struma motorway is a pretty high motorway section in europe.

With up to 930 meters above seelevel the Struma motorway is a pretty high motorway section in europe.

i wonder how one could even see it when it is above seelevel :D is it ultraviolet? :D

i wonder how one could even see it when it is above seelevel :D is it ultraviolet? :D

More probably in the infrared spectrum. You can't see it, you can only feel a gentle and relaxing heat.:lol:

While the highest motorway (if you can call it that) is the Coquihalla, Kootenay Pass is not the highest paved road. It is part of the Crowsnest Highway in BC.
Icefield Parkway (Highway 93) between Jasper and Banff, and at one point is 2,088 m at Bow Summit. The speed limit in most sections is about 100 km/h, which makes it a highway.
However, that is not the highest road/highway either, but it is the highest one open all year round.

The highest road is in Alberta at 2,206 m, and the part is called Highwood Pass on Highway 40. However, it is not open year round due to both snow clearing issues and significant wildlife on it. So it is only open from June 15 - November 30...but you can bike on it all year round.

The Coquihalla is a very dangerous "motorway", as it is not cambered/angled properly in turns and has lots of standing water which causes you to hydroplane every couple of seconds during heavy rainfall. It also has tons of potholes and isn't in that good of a condition.
The "Coke" was one big f**k up right from the get-go. Snowshed Hill being the biggest example. The grade is more around 12% NOT 8%. The curve at the north end of the avalanche gallery is cambered the wrong way, resulting in a large number of truck rollovers coming down said hill, and fires from vehicles overheating coming up.:bash: As a result, truckers end up going through the Fraser Canyon, or using BC HWY 5A.

Yes, Kootenay Pass is on HWY 3, the Crow's Nest Highway, but having looked at what you've said about Bow Summit, You could be right.:? I never bothered with Highwood, as it's seasonal, nor is it on a paved road.

Copied from the Highest Motorways thread:

Part of zivan56's post:
"While the highest motorway (if you can call it that) is the Coquihalla, Kootenay Pass is not the highest paved road. It is part of the Crowsnest Highway in BC.
Icefield Parkway (Highway 93) between Jasper and Banff, and at one point is 2,088 m at Bow Summit. The speed limit in most sections is about 100 km/h, which makes it a highway.
However, that is not the highest road/highway either, but it is the highest one open all year round.

The highest road is in Alberta at 2,206 m, and the part is called Highwood Pass on Highway 40. However, it is not open year round due to both snow clearing issues and significant wildlife on it. So it is only open from June 15 - November 30...but you can bike on it all year round."

I had mentioned that the highest "recognized" paved road in Canada, is Kootenay Pass on the Crow's Nest Highway. The pass itself is between the communities of Salmo and Creston. The road reaches 1,775 m (5,823 ft) above sea level. However, Zivan56 mentioned Bow Summit, on the famous Icefields Parkway (Alberta HWY 93). It reaches a height of 2,088 m (6,850 ft)

My question is this: What defines a pass, and what defines a summit? As an example: The Yellowhead Highway's (HWY 16) highest point is not a mountain pass, but rather a hill called Obed Summit. At this point, it's 1163.9 m above sea level. Yellowhead pass, however, is somewhat lower, at 1110 m.

Who's right? I think we're both right. Kooteny Pass is has the highest year round road through a mountain pass, while the Bow Summit is the highest paved road overall, though it's not through a mountain pass.

A pass is a path through a mountain range at a lower elevation than the surrounding peaks. A saddle, for example, is a type of pass.

A summit is the highest point overall along the pass. It refers to the highest point overall on any geographical mass, however; thus mountains, hills, ridges, necks, moraines, and yes, passes and cols, all have summits.

a motorway in Songzong (3030M), Bomi, Tibet, China

from Panoramio

http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/20385281.jpg

That is most certainly not a motorway, but some local road.

It's actully the G318 (G = National Road)

That doesn't make it a motorway. A motorway is a road with divided roadways with at least 2 lanes per direction, no slow traffic and 100% grade-separation (no traffic lights, intersections, zebra crossings, pedestrians, tractors, etc.)

The Chinese equivalent is called an Expressway.

okey, i've heard they were to build a expressway connecting Lhasa and its airport (LXA) [37.9km] back in 2009.

Here's the render:

http://tibet.news.cn/gdbb/2009-10/21/xin_203100621133026509031.jpg

Btw: that is 3,650M above sea level.

The highest point of the greek motorways is 1.100 metres. It is on A2 motorway (Egnatia odos) very close to the town of Metsovo between the tunnels of Metsovo and Anilio.

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/8043/023mr.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9528/024f.jpg

When the A-23 motorway north of Huesca is completed, it will reach 1280 metres above sea level.

^^ AP-6 reaches 1.511 meters.

Ruta 3 in Bolivia (a toll motorway) has 2x2 lanes, shoulders, grade separation and is at 4.100 meters altitude.

I know, but this one will be one of the highest. And it only would reach that elevation in only one direction (The other one will be inside a tunnel).
But i'm really impressed that I-70 at Eisenhower tunnel reaches 3404 metres. That's the same height as the highest point of the Pyrenees!

Bringing back this thread.


Ruta 3 in Bolivia (a toll motorway) has 2x2 lanes, shoulders, grade separation and is at 4.100 meters altitude.

As far as I know, the Chinese G6 expressway, when completed all the way to Lhasa, will reach 5100 meters above sea level at Tangula pass. So beat that!

I think I 've found the highest unpaved road in the world. It's good for bicycles and cars that have a high ground clearance (SUVs). It's in Tibet, China. The highest point reaches approximately 5830-5840 meters asl!!!

This Jeep parking lot seems unusual: Elevation? Around 6650 meters asl!!!

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/03/jeep-wrangler-gets-high-sets-record/