History of the Spanish highway network
The Spanish highway network was décrié a long time because of its bad quality.
1900 - 1929
Very few bituminized portions and presence of many " nests of poule". Quasi-non-existent indication.
In 1913, a road connects finally the Spain to the Andorre.
1930 - 1939
In 1931, a road connects the France to the Andorre via the Pas of the Box.
In 1939 installation of the " Peña" plan; to create a system of classification and classification of the roads in three categories:
- Carreteras Nacionales (Trunk roads)
- Carreteras Comarcales (Equivalent of the secondary roads in France)
- Caminos (local Ways)
The execution of this program is delayed by the civil war which makes rage in the country, thus completing to deteriorate the roads which will quickly become impracticable. The car fleet will be tiny room to nothing at the end of the war.
1940 - 1949
The first highway (Autopista) is inaugurated in 1942, it connects Madrid to the airport.
The border with France is closed in 1946 and is reopened in 1948.
1950 - 1959
Installation of the classification and the classification of the roads envisaged by the " Peña" plan;.
Repairing and the first asphaltings of the national main roads, in particular on the connections radiating of Madrid and on the Mediterranean coast.
1960 - 1969
First turnpike close to Barcelona managed by Acesa, company founded in 1967.
1970 - 1979
The Spain and the France are finally connected by a highway. It is about the connection Barcelona - Perpignan completed in 1976.
1980 - 1989
Creation of the statute of fast track " Autovia" in 1984.
1990 - 1999
Transformation of hundreds of kilometers of trunk roads into fast tracks.
2000 -…
The highways take the prefix " AP" and the fast tracks " A" in 2005.