fylkesvei

Fylkesvei, or county road, is a road category in Norway. It denotes roads that are owned and maintained by the county municipalities (fylkeskommuner). Fylkesveier form the regional component of the Norwegian road network, standing between the national roads (riksvei) and the municipal roads (kommunale veier). They primarily serve regional travel: connecting towns, villages and rural areas within a county, and linking to riksvei for longer-distance travel. The exact routes of fylkesveier vary by county, and the roads can range from two-lane to single-lane and may include bridges, tunnels and rural segments.

Classification and numbering: Fylkesveier are identified on maps and road signs by a prefix Fv followed by a number, for example Fv 13. Maintenance, safety improvements, winter service and other operations are the responsibility of the respective fylkeskommune, funded through county budgets with possible contributions from the national government for specific projects.

Relation to other road networks: Riksveier are the national road network, prioritized for long-distance and strategic corridors, while fylkesveier handle regional access. Municipal roads serve local access within municipalities. The system aims to balance regional accessibility, emergency response, and local mobility, supporting residents, businesses and services.

Historically, the fylkesvei designation identified roads of regional importance and has evolved with changes in administrative structure and transportation policy. While the geographic boundaries of counties have changed over time, the concept of county-owned roads remains a stable element of Norway’s road infrastructure.