Libyan Coastal Highway

As Via Balbo (or Via Balbo ), the 1822 km long coastal road in Libya was referred to, which was built along the southern Mediterranean coast in colonial times in Italian Libya.

During a visit of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in March 1937 in Libya, built for civilian and military purposes highway was opened. Responsible for the work was the governor Italo Balbo. After his death in 1940, the Italian government named the street after him.

The Via Balbo was a fortified and paved road. During the African campaign of World War II it served both sides as a strategically important transport axis and therefore was the scene of fierce battles between the Axis and the Allies, where it has been damaged in parts.

About halfway through the street near El Agheila was a triumphal arch, the Arco dei Fileni, which was designed by architect Florestano di Fausto to mark the border between Tripolitania and Cyrenaica ( see also border between West Rome and East Rome ). The inscription on the arch read: Alme Sol, Possis nihil urbe Roma Visere maius (Latin for " O gentle sun, may you look nothing greater than Rome "). The arch was demolished in 1970 by the revolutionary troops of Muammar Gaddafi.

In 1967 the road was paved again. Since Maziq Hussein (Prime Minister 1965-1967 ) Plans exist to expand into a four-lane expressway, of which only the sections Sabrata - Tripoli - Misrata and Ajdabiya - Benghazi - Tocra were implemented before the coup in 1969. In recent years, the Libyan People's Committee gave the four-lane expansion of the western section between Ras Ejder and Sabratha in order.

Places (selection)

From west to east. Cities are printed in bold

• Ras Ejder ( border with Tunisia)
• Zuwara
• Sabrata
• Az- Zawiyya
• Tripoli
• Al - Chums
• Misrata
• Abu Qurayn ( branch of Fezzan Road)
• Surt (Libya)
• Ben Jawad
• As Sidr
• Ras Lanuf
• El Agheila
• Qaryat Bishr
• Brega
• Ajdabiya
• Benghazi
• Al- Baida
• Derna
• Tobruk
• Bardia
• Musaid ( border with Egypt )