Maanteet

Maanteet are the main roads of Finland's road network outside urban streets. The term is used to describe the principal routes that connect towns and regions, carrying long-distance and heavy traffic. Maanteet form a backbone for travel and commerce and include some roads that carry European route numbers as part of the E-road network. They are distinguished from local streets within cities and from smaller rural roads.

Administration and maintenance: The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, known in Finnish as Väylävirasto, plans and maintains the national road network, including maanteet. Local municipalities are responsible for the segments within their jurisdictions and for local access roads. Funding comes from state budgets and local authorities, with road development prioritized to improve safety, capacity, and resilience.

Characteristics and development: Maanteet vary from two-lane rural routes to multi-lane divided highways. Some sections are or are planned to be upgraded to higher-capacity expressways or motorways with grade-separated junctions. Traffic management, winter maintenance, and speed regulation aim to ensure safe travel. Ongoing projects focus on replacing dangerous curves, improving intersections, and reducing travel times.

Context and significance: Maanteet are central to Finland's transport system, supporting regional integration and national economy. They intersect with other road classes and with rail and air networks in multimodal planning. The term is common in transport planning, geography, and everyday language when referring to long-distance roads outside cities.