Transportation
Ancient Roads. Rome is at the center of the radial network of roads that roughly follow the lines of the ancient Roman roads which began at the Capitoline Hill and connected Rome with its empire. These ancient roads were built by the Roman soldiers and allowed Roman legions to be rapidly deployed and encouraged easy trade amongst the peoples of the empire.
The Roman government even maintained periodic stations along the routes to provide refreshment to travelers, mile markers and horse relays for couriers that allowed them to cover 500 miles in 24 hrs.
The concrete, masonry skills and will to build created a massive highway system which allowed troop movement and trade and solidified Rome’s position in the world. It is also where the saying "All roads lead to Rome” originates. The Roman Empire built over 50,000 miles of roads during its reign. Read more about Roman Roads on HistoryLink101 web site.
MODERN HIGHWAYS. The ring road around the city (Grande Raccordo Anulare or "GRA"), finished in 1962, which
circles the city center at a distance of about 6 miles. When this highway was completed, most Romans lived
within the ring (except for Ostia). Since then, much like the trends in the US, areas have been built up that extend up 12 miles beyond the loop. (European Commission, 2004)
Rome's large number of automobiles has caused serious traffic congestion, and in the 1970s and 80s various
attempts were made to deal with the problem, including the banning of traffic in certain parts of the city.
According to the 2008 Master Plan, the rule today is that no building will be permitted unless access to transit is already
in place.
CITY MASS TRANSIT
An underground 2-line metro system called the Metropolitana opened in 1955. Construction on the first branch started in the 1930s. The line had been planned to quickly connect the main railway station with the newly planned E42 area in the southern suburbs, where the 1942 World Fair was supposed to be held. The event never took place because of war but the line was finally opened in 1955 and still used today. The A line opened in 1980, was expanded in 1999 in advance of the Jubilee, another line (B1) opened in 2012. A third line C is under construction with 30 stations planned. It will partly replace the existing rail line, but archaeological findings often delay underground construction work. A fourth line, D line, is also planned. Above-ground public transport in Rome is made up of a well-used bus system, a more limited tram system, and regional rail. (European Commission, 2004)
Due to its location in the center of the Italian peninsula, Rome is a principal railway node for central Italy. Rome's main railway station, Termini, is one of the largest railway stations in Europe and the most heavily used in Italy. (European Commission, 2004)
After Stazione Termini was built in 1874-85, a wave of settlement occurred in this area 1 mile east of the urban core. Rail was also added to the SW area of the city by Mussolini to serve the EUR project, and Lido di Roma began to be used as a resort
town for city dwellers. (Karabenick, 1963)
Economic aid from the US (Marshall Aid, to bolster countries against communism) and a substantial portion was used to
build modern rail) (Hearder, 1990)
SEA
Trade increased a great deal during the empire's early years only after Rome created a maritime trade system through the
nearby port of Ostia. After sea trading was established in the 2nd century BC, a ship could reach and return from any part of the empire within a month. Combined with the fact that sea trading with 60x cheaper than by land. (The Store of All of Us,
2012)
circles the city center at a distance of about 6 miles. When this highway was completed, most Romans lived
within the ring (except for Ostia). Since then, much like the trends in the US, areas have been built up that extend up 12 miles beyond the loop. (European Commission, 2004)
Rome's large number of automobiles has caused serious traffic congestion, and in the 1970s and 80s various
attempts were made to deal with the problem, including the banning of traffic in certain parts of the city.
According to the 2008 Master Plan, the rule today is that no building will be permitted unless access to transit is already
in place.
CITY MASS TRANSIT
An underground 2-line metro system called the Metropolitana opened in 1955. Construction on the first branch started in the 1930s. The line had been planned to quickly connect the main railway station with the newly planned E42 area in the southern suburbs, where the 1942 World Fair was supposed to be held. The event never took place because of war but the line was finally opened in 1955 and still used today. The A line opened in 1980, was expanded in 1999 in advance of the Jubilee, another line (B1) opened in 2012. A third line C is under construction with 30 stations planned. It will partly replace the existing rail line, but archaeological findings often delay underground construction work. A fourth line, D line, is also planned. Above-ground public transport in Rome is made up of a well-used bus system, a more limited tram system, and regional rail. (European Commission, 2004)
Due to its location in the center of the Italian peninsula, Rome is a principal railway node for central Italy. Rome's main railway station, Termini, is one of the largest railway stations in Europe and the most heavily used in Italy. (European Commission, 2004)
After Stazione Termini was built in 1874-85, a wave of settlement occurred in this area 1 mile east of the urban core. Rail was also added to the SW area of the city by Mussolini to serve the EUR project, and Lido di Roma began to be used as a resort
town for city dwellers. (Karabenick, 1963)
Economic aid from the US (Marshall Aid, to bolster countries against communism) and a substantial portion was used to
build modern rail) (Hearder, 1990)
SEA
Trade increased a great deal during the empire's early years only after Rome created a maritime trade system through the
nearby port of Ostia. After sea trading was established in the 2nd century BC, a ship could reach and return from any part of the empire within a month. Combined with the fact that sea trading with 60x cheaper than by land. (The Store of All of Us,
2012)