European route E79


European route E 79 is a road part of the International E-road network. It begins in Miskolc, Hungary and ends in Thessaloniki, Greece, also running through Romania and Bulgaria. The road is long. The Vidin-Botevgrad section of the Route is currently being built while 13,6 kilometers have been opened.

Itinerary

The E 79 routes through four European countries:

Hungary

The Hungarian section of E79 shares parts of its path with other E-roads, such as E60, E573 and E71.

Romania

The Romanian section of the road is mostly new asphalt, as can be seen on the map with Romanian road quality. Although only in the region of the road itself has many curves as it goes directly through 2 major mountain groups of the Carpathian range: the Apuseni Mountains and the Meridionali Mountains. With a restriction when passing through the many minor villages, and a large part of its length in the Carpathian mountains, the average speed is generally in the 50–60 km/h range.
Especially in the mountainous parts, the road can be considered as more suitable for tourism than for high speed traveling, but as it has been in a very poor state up until a couple of years ago, touristic infrastructure is still poorly developed. Plan ahead if you consider staying overnight in hotels on this route.
Since 2012, work has begun to improve the quality of this road:
  • A. Oradea – Deva : Most of the road in this section has been modernized. Drive carefully, especially during the night or in bad weather conditions, as many safety elements may be missing. Parts of the road are still under construction, while other parts have been finished and are good. In August 2021, 3 traffic lights were still in place on this section.
Contracts were signed in late 2012 to improve this section. Status of work progress is December 2017, by section, North to South:
- Oradea-Beiuș : This section has been recently re-done completely. There may still be areas with poor or no road markings, so travel carefully especially during the night.
- Beiuș-Ștei : This section has been recently re-done completely. There may still be areas with poor or no road markings, so travel carefully especially during the night. Constructor: AZVI/AZCALE.
- Ștei-Vârfurile : Currently under construction on about 20-30% of its length. There still are 3 traffic lights in this sector. Work is progressing normally and the sector should be finished by the end of 2021. First contractor: SC Antreprenor Construct Mod SRL. Contract was terminated and rest of the work was re-auctioned. Second constructor: Asocierea DRUM ASFALT S.R.L. & VAHOSTAV - SK a.s. & TRAMECO S.A. & ILE VIOREL CONSTRUCT S.R.L..
- Vârfurile-Ionești : This mountainous section is still under construction, with some parts in good condition, but with no road markings, so travel carefully during the night. On many climbs, now there are 2 lines going up hill and one line down, so passing heavy traffic is possible. Original contractor was VIALES Y OBRAS PUBLICAS. Contract cancelled in September 2015. Re-auctioned recently. Auction won by SC SYLC CON TRANS SRL / HIDROSTROY AD --- 55.945.649,16 RON without VAT.
Starting with Ionești, the road is good until as far south as Calafat, with only very small portions still under construction.
- Ionești-Brad : PORR.
- Șoimuș-Brad : SELINA.
Initial financing sources for all contracts was: 50% from the state budget, 50% loaned from the European Investment Bank. On 4 December 2013, the Romanian Ministry for European Funds included this project on the list of infrastructure projects financed by the EU. The Ministry sent to the European Commission a request to evaluate the financing of this sector, for a total of 210 million Euro.
  • B. Deva – Petroșani : The road has been significantly improved in the last years, being widened and having excellent asphalt quality on the entire section of the road. It has recently been repaired. Small portions may still be under repair near Simeria, but all work should finish in autumn/winter 2021. The portion Simeria-Hateg has no road markings, but this too should be fixed by the end of the year.
  • C. Petroșani – Bumbești Jiu : This section should be considered as good. Conditions have improved in late 2017 . On 29 November 2013, the Romanian Ministry for European Funds sent to the European Commission a request to evaluate the financing of this sector, for a total of 396 million Euro. Works on this section were expected to take around two years, and were expected to be finished by the end of 2014. In December 2016, the section was still under construction on about 40% of its length. It is currently almost completely rehabilitated, with very good asphalt and jersey blocks to prevent fall into the valley. A small part of the road, near an old monastery, is still under construction in 2021. 2 bridges over the river Jiu are still under construction, but will most likely be finished during 2018.
  • D. Bumbești Jiu – Craiova : The section Bumbești Jiu – Rovinari is in good condition, almost completely rehabilitated. The section Rovinari - Filiasi has been repaired in 2010, by FCC Construccion, and is currently in good condition. The section Filiași – Craiova is part of the DN6 road and is in good condition, also being repaired in 2010.
  • E. Craiova – Calafat : In December 2017, the 2 sub-sections are 92%, and 98% done. On 6 December 2013, the Romanian Ministry for European Funds sent to the European Commission a request to evaluate the financing of this sector, for a total of 73 million Euro.

    Bulgaria

The Bulgarian section of E79 spans nearly from the North Bulgarian city of Vidin, connecting the Calafat–Vidin Bridge across the Danube River and straight southwards towards Bulgaria's capital Sofia. The road has a moderately good surface, it is constantly maintained and repaired and well signed with directing signs in Bulgarian and in English. Most of the way from Vidin to Botevgrad, the road is two-lane tarmac road following the natural relief of the landscape. There are sections where 3 lanes for overtaking slow-moving traffic are available. Rest stops and parking spots near the road are also available. The Bulgarian Traffic law prescribes a in most residential areas coinciding with the route of the road and not more than on the section of the road outside living areas. Currently the Vidin-Montana motorway and Montana-Botevgrad expressway are under construction with planned speed up to.
From Botevgrad to Sofia, E79 joins Hemus motorway. At the Bulgarian capital Sofia it follows Sofia Northern Bypass motorway and then Sofia Ring Road. From Sofia all the way to the border with Greece, E79 joins Struma motorway with the exception of the Kresna Gorge pass, which still use the old 2-lane standard road. The Bulgarian Traffic law allows speeds up to on motorways unless otherwise stated.
There are no restrictions to trucks driving in the weekends so they pose additional road hazard particularly high when driving at night. Traffic is usually heavy on weekends and overtaking has to be done swiftly and without risk, minding the other participants in the traffic.
At night, motorcyclists are required to use high-visibility vests.

Greece

The E79 in Greece is about long, and currently runs from Promachonas in the north to Thessaloniki in the south, via Serres. In relation to the national road network, the E79 currently follows :
The E79 runs concurrently with the E90 on the A2 segment: the E79 also connects with the Thessaloniki branch of the E75, at Plateia Dimokratias.