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Autostrada A15 (Italy)
Encyclopedia
Autostrade of Italy
The Autostrada is the Italian national system of motorways. The total length of the system is about 6,400 km. In North and Central Italy this is mainly as tollways, with the biggest portion in concession to the Atlantia group which operates some 3,408 km...
(motorway) connecting Parma
Parma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
and La Spezia
La Spezia
La Spezia , at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia in the Liguria region of northern Italy, is the capital city of the province of La Spezia. Located between Genoa and Pisa on the Ligurian Sea, it is one of the main Italian military and commercial harbours and hosts one of Italy's biggest military...
through the valleys of the Taro
Taro River
The Taro is a 126 km-long river in northern Italy, tributary to the Po River. It flows almost entirely in the province of Parma, west of the city Parma. The Taro flows into the Po River north of Parma....
and Lunigiana
Lunigiana
The Lunigiana is an historical territory of Italy, which today falls within the provinces of La Spezia and Massa Carrara. Its borders derive from the ancient Roman settlement, later the medieval diocese of Luni, which no longer exists....
Rivers. The road is also known as Autocamionale della Cisa because it crosses the Northern Apennines
Apennine mountains
The Apennines or Apennine Mountains or Greek oros but just as often used alone as a noun. The ancient Greeks and Romans typically but not always used "mountain" in the singular to mean one or a range; thus, "the Apennine mountain" refers to the entire chain and is translated "the Apennine...
at the Cisa pass
Cisa Pass
The Cisa Pass or La Cisa Pass is a mountain pass in Italy that marks the division between the Ligurian and Tuscan Apennines. It is between northern Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna , near the source of the Magra River at 1,040 meters .-See also:* List of highest paved roads in Europe* List of mountain...
. The main 101-km expanse of the motorway connects the A1
Autostrada A1 (Italy)
The Autostrada A1, or Autostrada del Sole , is an Italian motorway which connects Milan with Naples via Bologna, Florence and Rome. At 754 km, it is the longest Italian autostrada and is considered the “spinal cord” of the country’s road network...
with the A12
Autostrada A12 (Italy)
The A12 is an Italian autostrada , composed of two unconnected parts.The first one connects Genoa and Rosignano Marittimo, the second connects Civitavecchia and Rome....
(Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
-Rosignano Marittimo
Rosignano Marittimo
Rosignano Marittimo is a comune in the Province of Livorno in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 80 km southwest of Florence and about 20 km southeast of Livorno....
), thus directly linking the Po Valley
Po Valley
The Po Valley, Po Plain, Plain of the Po, or Padan Plain is a major geographical feature of Italy. It extends approximately in an east-west direction, with an area of 46,000 km² including its Venetic extension not actually related to the Po River basin; it runs from the Western Alps to the...
with the Italian Riviera
Italian Riviera
The Italian Riviera, or Ligurian Riviera is the narrow coastal strip which lies between the Ligurian Sea and the mountain chain formed by the Maritime Alps and the Apennines...
and the Versilia
Versilia
The Versilia is a part of Tuscany in the north-western province of Lucca, and is named after the Versilia river.Known for fashionable Riviera resorts, it consists of numerous clubs that are frequented by local celebrities....
region.
The toll road is operated by the company Autocamionale della Cisa S.p.A. The franchisee's current toll charges are: car or motorcycle, €10.40; Overheight vehicle (>1.3m), €10.70; 3 Axles, €14.40; 4 Axles, €22.70; 5 or more Axles, €26.30.
At the 9-km mark, drivers are welcomed by a curious monument, a tuft of steel and cement sculpted by Luigi Magnani and placed in the traffic island between the two carriageways. The monument is visible to motorists coming from the A1.
History
The first phase of this motorway, dating to the 1950s1950s
The 1950s or The Fifties was the decade that began on January 1, 1950 and ended on December 31, 1959. The decade was the sixth decade of the 20th century...
, was designed to provide an alternative route between the Po Valley and the coastal Tyrrhenian Sea
Tyrrhenian Sea
The Tyrrhenian Sea is part of the Mediterranean Sea off the western coast of Italy.-Geography:The sea is bounded by Corsica and Sardinia , Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, Basilicata and Calabria and Sicily ....
. The construction required several viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
s and tunnel
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
s to attain the maximum altitude of 745 metres above sea level at the entrance of the tunnel crossing. Built as a dual carriageway (divided highway)
Dual carriageway
A dual carriageway is a class of highway with two carriageways for traffic travelling in opposite directions separated by a central reservation...
, it is very curvilinear and challenging to drive and, therefore, has long been used for testing new heavy duty vehicles
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
.
Except for short stretches of the highway, the road surface
Asphalt
Asphalt or , also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits, it is a substance classed as a pitch...
is not porous
Permeable paving
Permeable paving is a range of materials and techniques for paving roads, cycle-paths, parking lots and sidewalks that allow the movement of water and air around the paving material. Although some porous paving materials appear nearly indistinguishable from nonporous materials, their environmental...
or fitted with storm drain
Storm drain
A storm drain, storm sewer , stormwater drain or drainage well system or simply a drain or drain system is designed to drain excess rain and ground water from paved streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and roofs. Storm drains vary in design from small residential dry wells to large municipal systems...
s, making it difficult to negotiate during heavy rain.
Route
The motorway begins from the A1Autostrada A1 (Italy)
The Autostrada A1, or Autostrada del Sole , is an Italian motorway which connects Milan with Naples via Bologna, Florence and Rome. At 754 km, it is the longest Italian autostrada and is considered the “spinal cord” of the country’s road network...
, near Parma
Parma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
. From the Parma Ovest (West Parma) exit the highway climbs through the Taro Valley
Taro River
The Taro is a 126 km-long river in northern Italy, tributary to the Po River. It flows almost entirely in the province of Parma, west of the city Parma. The Taro flows into the Po River north of Parma....
with exits to Fornovo di Taro
Fornovo di Taro
Fornovo di Taro is a comune in the province of Parma, in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 100 km west of Bologna and about 25 km southwest of Parma....
, Borgotaro
Borgo Val di Taro
Borgo Val di Taro is a town and comune in Emilia, Italy, in the Province of Parma, 63 km from the city of Parma.Borgo Val di Taro is an important centre for cattle husbandry in Emilia and it's one of the zones where Parmigiano-Reggiano is produced....
and the village of Berceto
Berceto
Berceto is a village and comune in Italy, located in the Apennine Mountains on the main road between La Spezia and Parma, in the Taro River valley.-External links:* - from the Parish of San Lorenzo, villa Lozzola, comune Berceto, Parma,Italy...
, all within the Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna
Emilia–Romagna is an administrative region of Northern Italy comprising the two historic regions of Emilia and Romagna. The capital is Bologna; it has an area of and about 4.4 million inhabitants....
region. After traversing the tunnel, the highway continues into Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
, with exits to Pontremoli
Pontremoli
Pontremoli is a small city, comune and bishop's see in the province of Massa-Carrara, Tuscany, Italy. Literally translated, "Pontremoli" derives from "Trembling Bridge" , with the commune having been named after a prominent bridge across the Magra.Pontremoli is situated in the upper...
and Aulla
Aulla
-History:Traces of Roman and Etruscan civilizations found in the Church of Saint Caprisio indicate that there were settlements in Aulla long before the 8th century CE, when margrave Adalbert I of Tuscany founded a village and castle to accommodate pilgrims traveling the via Francigena. Here, at...
. Shortly after entering Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
it intersects the A12
Autostrada A12 (Italy)
The A12 is an Italian autostrada , composed of two unconnected parts.The first one connects Genoa and Rosignano Marittimo, the second connects Civitavecchia and Rome....
at Santo Stefano di Magra
Santo Stefano di Magra
Santo Stefano di Magra is a comune in the Province of La Spezia in the Italian region Liguria, located about 80 km southeast of Genoa and about 11 km northeast of La Spezia. It is located near the confluence of torrent Vara into the Magra river. It is part of the Montemarcello-Magra...
, a few kilometres from La Spezia
La Spezia
La Spezia , at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia in the Liguria region of northern Italy, is the capital city of the province of La Spezia. Located between Genoa and Pisa on the Ligurian Sea, it is one of the main Italian military and commercial harbours and hosts one of Italy's biggest military...
.
There are five service station
Filling station
A filling station, also known as a fueling station, garage, gasbar , gas station , petrol bunk , petrol pump , petrol garage, petrol kiosk , petrol station "'servo"' in Australia or service station, is a facility which sells fuel and lubricants...
s and rest area
Rest area
A rest area, travel plaza, rest stop, or service area is a public facility, located next to a large thoroughfare such as a highway, expressway, or freeway at which drivers and passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting on to secondary roads...
s along the way.
| A15 PARMA - LA SPEZIA Autocamionale della Cisa |
|||||
| Type | |↓km↓ | |Province | European route International E-road network The international E-road network is a numbering system for roads in Europe developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe . The network is numbered from E 1 up and its roads cross national borders... |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
  Milano - RomaAutostrada A1 (Italy) The Autostrada A1, or Autostrada del Sole , is an Italian motorway which connects Milan with Naples via Bologna, Florence and Rome. At 754 km, it is the longest Italian autostrada and is considered the “spinal cord” of the country’s road network... |
0 | 110 | PR | |
 |
Parma Parma Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world.... ovest |
5 | 105 | PR | |
 |
Area servizio "Medesano" | 15 | 95 | PR | |
| |
Fornovo di Taro Fornovo di Taro Fornovo di Taro is a comune in the province of Parma, in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 100 km west of Bologna and about 25 km southwest of Parma.... |
23 | 87 | PR | |
| |
Borgotaro | 42 | 58 | PR | |
| |
Berceto Berceto Berceto is a village and comune in Italy, located in the Apennine Mountains on the main road between La Spezia and Parma, in the Taro River valley.-External links:* - from the Parish of San Lorenzo, villa Lozzola, comune Berceto, Parma,Italy... |
51 | 49 | PR | |
| |
Area servizio "Tugo" | 54 | 46 | PR | |
| |
Area servizio "Montaio" | 65 | 45 | MS | |
| |
Pontremoli Pontremoli Pontremoli is a small city, comune and bishop's see in the province of Massa-Carrara, Tuscany, Italy. Literally translated, "Pontremoli" derives from "Trembling Bridge" , with the commune having been named after a prominent bridge across the Magra.Pontremoli is situated in the upper... |
75 | 35 | MS | |
| |
Area servizio "San Benedetto" | 80 | 30 | MS | |
| |
Aulla Aulla -History:Traces of Roman and Etruscan civilizations found in the Church of Saint Caprisio indicate that there were settlements in Aulla long before the 8th century CE, when margrave Adalbert I of Tuscany founded a village and castle to accommodate pilgrims traveling the via Francigena. Here, at... |
91 | 19 | MS | |
 |
  Genova - Rosignano M.Autostrada A12 (Italy) The A12 is an Italian autostrada , composed of two unconnected parts.The first one connects Genoa and Rosignano Marittimo, the second connects Civitavecchia and Rome.... |
101 | 9 | MS | |
 |
Barriera La Spezia | 102 | 8 | SP | |
| |
La Spezia La Spezia La Spezia , at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia in the Liguria region of northern Italy, is the capital city of the province of La Spezia. Located between Genoa and Pisa on the Ligurian Sea, it is one of the main Italian military and commercial harbours and hosts one of Italy's biggest military... - S. Stefano Magra Santo Stefano di Magra Santo Stefano di Magra is a comune in the Province of La Spezia in the Italian region Liguria, located about 80 km southeast of Genoa and about 11 km northeast of La Spezia. It is located near the confluence of torrent Vara into the Magra river. It is part of the Montemarcello-Magra... |
102 | 8 | SP | |
| |
Vezzano Ligure Vezzano Ligure Vezzano Ligure is a comune in the Province of La Spezia in the Italian region of Liguria, located about 80 km southeast of Genoa and about 7 km northeast of La Spezia.... |
103 | 7 | SP | |
| |
Area servizio "Melara" | 105 | 5 | SP | |
| |
Stagnoni | 108 | 3 | SP | |
| |
Lerici Lerici Lerici is a town and comune in the province of La Spezia in Liguria , part of the Italian Riviera. Its nearest bay is the Bay of Lerici. The town is connected by ferry to the Cinque Terre and Portovenere.... - Porto |
110 | 0 | SP | |
Provincial Abbreviations: PR = Parma
Province of Parma
The Province of Parma is a province in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Parma.It has an area of 3,449 km², and a total population of 413,198...
; MS = Massa-Carrera
Province of Massa-Carrara
The Province of Massa and Carrara , until 2009 Province of Massa-Carrara, is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is named after the two main towns in its territory: Carrara and Massa, its capital.-History:...
; SP = La Spezia
Province of La Spezia
The Province of La Spezia is a province in the Liguria region of Italy. Its capital is the city of La Spezia.It has an area of 881 km², and a total population of 223,606 inhabitants...
Proposed construction
A plan to extend the motorway route to the north through FontevivoFontevivo
Fontevivo is a comune in the Province of Parma in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 100 km northwest of Bologna and about 14 km northwest of Parma...
, Martignana di Po
Martignana di Po
Martignana di Po is a comune in the Province of Cremona in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 110 km southeast of Milan and about 30 km southeast of Cremona....
and Nogarole Rocca
Nogarole Rocca
Nogarole Rocca is a comune in the Province of Verona in the Italian region Veneto, located about 110 km west of Venice and about 20 km southwest of Verona...
, linking to the A22 (the Autobrennero) around Verona
Verona
Verona ; German Bern, Dietrichsbern or Welschbern) is a city in the Veneto, northern Italy, with approx. 265,000 inhabitants and one of the seven chef-lieus of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third of North-Eastern Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona...
, has been proposed. Land has been secured both for straightening the present route through the construction of new viaducts and tunnels and for the proposed extension. The town of Villafranca in Lunigiana
Villafranca in Lunigiana
Villafranca in Lunigiana is a comune in the Province of Massa-Carrara in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 120 km northwest of Florence and about 35 km northwest of Massa....
and neighbouring municipalities have petitioned for opening such a new toll motorway. Negotiations have begun with private motorway companies and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport
Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Italy)
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is the government ministry for transport in the Republic of Italy. It is responsible for all transport infrastructure as well as general transport planning and logistics, especially for urban transport schemes...
.