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Autostrada A26 (Italy)
Encyclopedia
The Autostrada A26 is a motorway in the northwestern Italian
regions of Liguria
and Piedmont
. It is named the Autostrada dei Trafori (the Autostrada of the Tunnels) after the numerous tunnels through which it passes, both Apennine and Subalpine
. It runs northwards from Genoa
on the Ligurian coast, over the Apennines, and across the wide plain of the Po valley to the environs of Lake Maggiore
and the mouth of the Val d’Ossola. In addition to this ‘main trunk’ of the road, there are three side branches, also of motorway class which function as link roads between the A26 and the A7, the A4 and the A8. The A26, together with these link road, is managed by Autostrade per l'Italia S.p.A.
The A26 begins near the Genoese quarter of Voltri, which lies on the coast to the west of the town centre. It crosses the Apennines at the Passo del Turchino
(532m) and passes through Ovada
. Near Castelferro (frazione
of Predosa
) an eastern branch, the Autostrada A26/A7, provides links to Novi Ligure
and to the Autostrada A7 (Genoa – Milan
) which it joins near Spineto Scrivia
, to the south of Tortona
.
The A26 continues northwards until near Alessandria
there is an interchange with the Autostrada A21 (Turin
– Brescia
). The road crosses the Po River
just east of Casale Monferrato
. South of Vercelli
a western branch, the Autostrada A4/26, provides a connection to the Autostrada A4 (Turin – Trieste
) near Santhià
, and continues as the Autostrada A4/A5 to the Autostrada A5 (Turin – Aosta – Monte Bianco) which it joins at Pavone Canavese
, just south of Ivrea
.
Further north, between Greggio
and Biandrate
Vicolungo
to the west of Novara
, the A26 intersects with the Autostrada A4 (Turin – Trieste), and at Sesto Calende
with the Autostrada A8. The road passes close to Romagnano Sesia
and Ghemme
where there is an exit for the Valsesia
. It proceeds north-east and follows the shore of Lago Maggiore with exits for Arona
, Brovello-Carpugnino
, Baveno
- Stresa
, Verbania
and Gravellona Toce
. From here the Strada Statale SS 33 del Sempione continues the route northwards, initially as a superstrada (a form of expressway
), to Domodossola
and then via the Val Divedro to the Swiss
border, affording access to the Simplon Pass
.
with the Autostrada A7 near Bettole (a frazione
of Pozzolo Formigaro
). The entire autostrada is within the Province of Alessandria
. Its sole exit is for Novi Ligure
and it provides a convenient means of access to both the A7 and the A26 from that town.
with the Autostrada A4 near Santhià
. It forms part of the 1,547 km European route E25
which connects Hoek van Holland
in the Netherlands
to Palermo
in Sicily
. The layout of the road is level with two lanes in each direction.
Before the A26 was extended from Stroppiana to Gravellona Toce, this road was treated as part of the A26 which was then known as the A26 Voltri-Santhià
with the Autostrada A8 near Gallarate
. It forms part of the 1,290 km km European route E62
which connects Nantes
in western France
to Genova
. The road was built to provide a route for traffic from Domodossola
and the Simplon Pass
to Milan
and thence to the parts of the peninsula to the east of the Apennines. It has two lanes in each direction from Gallarate to Sesto Calende
and three from Sesto Calende to Gattico.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
regions of 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:...
and Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
. It is named the Autostrada dei Trafori (the Autostrada of the Tunnels) after the numerous tunnels through which it passes, both Apennine and Subalpine
Subalpine
The subalpine zone is the biotic zone immediately below tree line around the world. Species that occur in this zone depend on the location of the zone on the Earth, for example, Snow Gum in Australia, or Subalpine Larch, Mountain Hemlock and Subalpine Fir in western North America.Trees in the...
. It runs northwards from 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....
on the Ligurian coast, over the Apennines, and across the wide plain of the Po valley to the environs of Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is a large lake located on the south side of the Alps. It is the second largest of Italy and largest of southern Switzerland. Lake Maggiore is the most westerly of the three great prealpine lakes of Italy, it extends for about 70 km between Locarno and Arona.The climate is mild...
and the mouth of the Val d’Ossola. In addition to this ‘main trunk’ of the road, there are three side branches, also of motorway class which function as link roads between the A26 and the A7, the A4 and the A8. The A26, together with these link road, is managed by Autostrade per l'Italia S.p.A.
A26 Genova Voltri – Gravellona Toce
Passo del Turchino
The Passo del Turchino is a mountain pass located between the cities of Masone and Mele in the Italian region Liguria. It is known for its annual appearance in the classic one-day cycling race Milan – San Remo, and occasionally in other races....
(532m) and passes through Ovada
Ovada
Ovada is a comune in the Province of Alessandria in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 90 km southeast of Turin and about 30 km south of Alessandria....
. Near Castelferro (frazione
Frazione
A frazione , in Italy, is the name given in administrative law to a type of territorial subdivision of a comune; for other administrative divisions, see municipio, circoscrizione, quartiere...
of Predosa
Predosa
Predosa is a comune in the Province of Alessandria in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 80 km southeast of Turin and about 20 km south of Alessandria....
) an eastern branch, the Autostrada A26/A7, provides links to Novi Ligure
Novi Ligure
Novi Ligure is a town and comune north of Genoa, in the Piedmont region of the province of Alessandria of northwest Italy.The town produces food, iron, steel, and textiles. It is an important junction for both road and railroad....
and to the Autostrada A7 (Genoa – Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
) which it joins near Spineto Scrivia
Spineto Scrivia
Spineto Scrivia is a comune in the Province of Alessandria in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 100 km southeast of Turin and about 20 km southeast of Alessandria...
, to the south of Tortona
Tortona
Tortona is a comune of Piemonte, in the Province of Alessandria, Italy. Tortona is sited on the right bank of the Scrivia between the plain of Marengo and the foothills of the Ligurian Apennines.-History:...
.
The A26 continues northwards until near Alessandria
Alessandria
-Monuments:* The Citadel * The church of Santa Maria di Castello * The church of Santa Maria del Carmine * Palazzo Ghilini * Università del Piemonte Orientale-Museums:* The Marengo Battle Museum...
there is an interchange with the Autostrada A21 (Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
– Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
). The road crosses the Po River
Po River
The Po |Ligurian]]: Bodincus or Bodencus) is a river that flows either or – considering the length of the Maira, a right bank tributary – eastward across northern Italy, from a spring seeping from a stony hillside at Pian del Re, a flat place at the head of the Val Po under the northwest face...
just east of Casale Monferrato
Casale Monferrato
Casale Monferrato, population 36,058, is a town and comune in the Piedmont region of north-west Italy, part of the province of Alessandria. It is situated about 60 km east of Turin on the right bank of the Po, where the river runs at the foot of the Montferrato hills. Beyond the river lies the...
. South of Vercelli
Vercelli
Vercelli is a city and comune of about 47,000 inhabitants in the Province of Vercelli, Piedmont, northern Italy. One of the oldest urban sites in northern Italy, it was founded, according to most historians, around the year 600 BC.The city is situated on the river Sesia in the plain of the river...
a western branch, the Autostrada A4/26, provides a connection to the Autostrada A4 (Turin – Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
) near Santhià
Santhià
Santhià is a comune in the province of Vercelli in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 50 km northeast of Turin and about 20 km northwest of Vercelli....
, and continues as the Autostrada A4/A5 to the Autostrada A5 (Turin – Aosta – Monte Bianco) which it joins at Pavone Canavese
Pavone Canavese
Pavone Canavese is a comune in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 45 km northeast of Turin...
, just south of Ivrea
Ivrea
Ivrea is a town and comune of the province of Turin in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Situated on the road leading to the Aosta Valley , it straddles the Dora Baltea and is regarded as the centre of the Canavese area. Ivrea lies in a basin that, in prehistoric times, formed a great lake...
.
Further north, between Greggio
Greggio
Greggio is a comune in the Province of Vercelli in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 70 km northeast of Turin and about 15 km north of Vercelli....
and Biandrate
Biandrate
Biandrate is a comune in the Province of Novara in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 70 km northeast of Turin and about 12 km west of Novara.-History:...
Vicolungo
Vicolungo
Vicolungo is a comune in the Province of Novara in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 80 km northeast of Turin and about 12 km northwest of Novara...
to the west of Novara
Novara
Novara is the capital city of the province of Novara in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy, to the west of Milan. With c. 105,000 inhabitants, it is the second most populous city in Piedmont after Turin. It is an important crossroads for commercial traffic along the routes from Milan to Turin...
, the A26 intersects with the Autostrada A4 (Turin – Trieste), and at Sesto Calende
Sesto Calende
Sesto Calende is a town and comune located in the province of Varese, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.It is located at the southern tip of Lake Maggiore, where the Ticino River starts to flow towards the Po River. The main historical sights is the Abbey of San Donato, built in the...
with the Autostrada A8. The road passes close to Romagnano Sesia
Romagnano Sesia
Romagnano Sesia is a town and comune of c. 4,000 inhabitants in the Province of Novara in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 80 km northeast of Turin and about 25 km northwest of Novara....
and Ghemme
Ghemme
Ghemme is a comune in the Province of Novara in the Italian region Piedmont, located on the river Sesia about 80 km northeast of Turin and about 25 km northwest of Novara....
where there is an exit for the Valsesia
Valsesia
Valsesia is a group of valleys in north-east of Piedmont in the Province of Vercelli, Italy; the principal valley is that of the river Sesia.The major cities are Varallo Sesia, Borgosesia, Serravalle Sesia; important touristic villages include Alagna Valsesia, Rima, Carcoforo, Scopello.-External...
. It proceeds north-east and follows the shore of Lago Maggiore with exits for Arona
Arona
-Places:Italy*Arona, Piedmont, a town in the Province of NovaraSpain*Arona, Tenerife, a municipality in the Canary IslandsUnited States*Arona, Pennsylvania-Persons:*Danilo Arona, Italian writer* Ricardo Arona, Brazilian mixed martial artist...
, Brovello-Carpugnino
Brovello-Carpugnino
Brovello-Carpugnino is a comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 100 km northeast of Turin and about 14 km southwest of Verbania...
, Baveno
Baveno
Baveno is a town and comune in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, part of Piedmont, northern Italy. It is located on the west shore of Lago Maggiore, 13 miles North West of Arona by rail....
- Stresa
Stresa
Stresa is a town and comune of about 5,000 inhabitants on the shores of the Lago Maggiore in the region of Piedmont, northern Italy; it is situated on the road and rail routes to the Simplon pass, about 90 km north-west of Milan. Since the early 20th century, the main source of income has been the...
, Verbania
Verbania
Verbania is a city and comune on the shore of Lake Maggiore, Piedmont, in northwest Italy, about north-west of Milan and about from Locarno in Switzerland.-Overview:...
and Gravellona Toce
Gravellona Toce
Gravellona Toce is a comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 110 km northeast of Turin and about 8 km west of Verbania.-Main sights:*Gallo-Roman necropolis...
. From here the Strada Statale SS 33 del Sempione continues the route northwards, initially as a superstrada (a form of expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
), to Domodossola
Domodossola
Domodossola is a city and comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in the region of Piedmont, northern Italy...
and then via the Val Divedro to the Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
border, affording access to the Simplon Pass
Simplon Pass
Simplon Pass is a high mountain pass between the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland. It connects Brig in the canton of Valais with Domodossola in Piedmont . The pass itself and the villages on each side of it, such as Gondo, are in Switzerland...
.
A7/A26 Bettole – Predosa Link
The Autostrada A7/A26 Diramazione Bettole-Predosa (A7/A26) is a 17 km motorway which links the A26 near PredosaPredosa
Predosa is a comune in the Province of Alessandria in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 80 km southeast of Turin and about 20 km south of Alessandria....
with the Autostrada A7 near Bettole (a frazione
Frazione
A frazione , in Italy, is the name given in administrative law to a type of territorial subdivision of a comune; for other administrative divisions, see municipio, circoscrizione, quartiere...
of Pozzolo Formigaro
Pozzolo Formigaro
Pozzolo Formigaro is a comune in the Province of Alessandria in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 90 km southeast of Turin and about 20 km southeast of Alessandria...
). The entire autostrada is within the Province of Alessandria
Province of Alessandria
The Province of Alessandria is an Italian province, with a population of some 430,000, which forms the southeastern part of the region of Piedmont. The provincial capital is the city of Alessandria....
. Its sole exit is for Novi Ligure
Novi Ligure
Novi Ligure is a town and comune north of Genoa, in the Piedmont region of the province of Alessandria of northwest Italy.The town produces food, iron, steel, and textiles. It is an important junction for both road and railroad....
and it provides a convenient means of access to both the A7 and the A26 from that town.
A4/A26 Stroppiana – Santhià Link
The Autostrada A4/A26 Diramazione Stroppiana-Santhià (A4/A26) is a 32 km motorway which links the A26 near StroppianaStroppiana
Stroppiana is a comune in the Province of Vercelli in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 60 km northeast of Turin and about 10 km southeast of Vercelli...
with the Autostrada A4 near Santhià
Santhià
Santhià is a comune in the province of Vercelli in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 50 km northeast of Turin and about 20 km northwest of Vercelli....
. It forms part of the 1,547 km European route E25
European route E25
European route E 25 is a north-south European route from Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands to Palermo in Italy which includes ferry crossings from Genoa to Bastia , from Bonifacio to Porto Torres and from Cagliari to Palermo .It passes through the following cities:Hoek van Holland –...
which connects Hoek van Holland
Hoek van Holland
The Hook of Holland , also known in English as the Hook, is a town in South Holland in the Netherlands. It is situated on the North Sea coast, on the north bank of the Nieuwe Waterweg ship canal. The town is administered by the municipality of Rotterdam as a district of that city...
in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
to Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
in Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
. The layout of the road is level with two lanes in each direction.
Before the A26 was extended from Stroppiana to Gravellona Toce, this road was treated as part of the A26 which was then known as the A26 Voltri-Santhià
A8/A26 Gallarate – Gattico Link
The Autostrada A8/A26 Diramazione Gallarate-Gattico (A8/A26) is a motorway which connects the A26 near GatticoGattico
Gattico is a comune in the Province of Novara in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 100 km northeast of Turin and about 30 km north of Novara....
with the Autostrada A8 near Gallarate
Gallarate
Gallarate is a city and comune of Lombardy, northern Italy, in the Province of Varese. It has a population of some 51,700....
. It forms part of the 1,290 km km European route E62
European route E62
The European route E 62 is a road in Europe and a part of the United Nations International E-road network. Approximately long, it connects the French Atlantic port city of Nantes to Genoa, largest of Italy's port cities. Between France and Italy it also passes through Switzerland, via...
which connects Nantes
Nantes
Nantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
in western France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to Genova
Génova
Génova may refer to:* Spanish spelling of the city of Genoa, Italy* Génova, Quindío, a municipality in the department of Quindío, Colombia* Génova, Quetzaltenango, a municipality in the department of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala...
. The road was built to provide a route for traffic from Domodossola
Domodossola
Domodossola is a city and comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in the region of Piedmont, northern Italy...
and the Simplon Pass
Simplon Pass
Simplon Pass is a high mountain pass between the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland. It connects Brig in the canton of Valais with Domodossola in Piedmont . The pass itself and the villages on each side of it, such as Gondo, are in Switzerland...
to Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
and thence to the parts of the peninsula to the east of the Apennines. It has two lanes in each direction from Gallarate to Sesto Calende
Sesto Calende
Sesto Calende is a town and comune located in the province of Varese, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.It is located at the southern tip of Lake Maggiore, where the Ticino River starts to flow towards the Po River. The main historical sights is the Abbey of San Donato, built in the...
and three from Sesto Calende to Gattico.
External links
- Autostrade per l'Italia
- Structures on A 26 provides a list of the autostrada’s viaducts and tunnels.