Introduction
The European route E87 is an international highway that traverses a large portion of the eastern and southeastern regions of Europe. It is part of the International E-road network, a system of roads designated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to facilitate cross-border traffic and improve regional connectivity. The E87 stretches from the coastal city of Trabzon in Turkey to the city of Stavropol in Russia, covering an approximate distance of 1,400 kilometres. The route links several important economic centres, provides access to key maritime ports, and serves as a corridor for freight, tourism, and cultural exchange between the Black Sea region and the interior of the European continent.
Route Description
Northern Terminus
The northern end of the E87 is situated in the city of Trabzon, located on the western coast of the Black Sea. Trabzon is a historic trading hub and a major port for the Black Sea maritime network. The road originates at the intersection with the European route E82 and continues southward, following the coastline for a short stretch before turning inland.
Southern Terminus
The southern terminus of the E87 lies in Stavropol, a city in the North Caucasus region of Russia. Stavropol is an important railway junction and industrial centre. The route terminates at its junction with the Russian federal highway M4, which leads westward to Moscow and eastward to the Russian Far East.
Major Cities and Regions
- Turkey: After departing from Trabzon, the E87 passes through the provinces of Rize, Artvin, and Erzurum, before entering the province of Sivas and continuing toward the city of Erzincan. The highway then proceeds to the city of Elazığ, followed by a stretch through the province of Malatya, and terminates in Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
- Greece: While the E87 does not directly traverse Greek territory, it intersects with the E75 at the Turkish-Greek border, providing indirect connectivity to the Greek mainland.
- Bulgaria: The route continues into Bulgaria, passing through the cities of Burgas and Varna, both major Black Sea ports, before heading toward the city of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.
- Serbia: In Serbia, the E87 intersects with the E75 at Niš, offering access to the major highway network that leads to Belgrade and further west to Central Europe.
- Russia: The route enters Russia via the border crossing at the town of Novocherkassk, continuing through the Stavropol Krai before terminating in Stavropol.
Roadway Characteristics
The E87 varies in its physical characteristics along its length. In the mountainous regions of the eastern Anatolian plateau, the road features numerous hairpin turns, steep gradients, and winding sections that require careful navigation. In contrast, the coastal sections near the Black Sea are generally flatter and feature broad, straight stretches conducive to high-speed travel. The road is primarily a two-lane single carriageway, with occasional expansions to dual carriageways in urban areas to accommodate higher traffic volumes.
History
Pre-1940s
The corridor that would later become the E87 has been used for trade and travel for centuries. The ancient Silk Road, which connected the Mediterranean with the East, passed through parts of the region, including the cities of Erzurum and Istanbul. In the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire constructed early roadways to facilitate military and administrative movements, laying the groundwork for future modern highways.
Post-War Expansions
Following the end of World War II, several European countries undertook major infrastructure projects to rebuild war-torn areas. In Turkey, the 1950s saw the construction of the first modern road segments in the eastern provinces, including the initial sections of the route that would become part of the E87. Simultaneously, the Soviet Union began developing the road network in the North Caucasus, creating a foundation for cross-border connectivity with Turkey.
Modern Era
The formal designation of the E87 as part of the International E-road network occurred in the 1970s, during the expansion of the UNECE's standardized numbering system. Since that time, the route has been upgraded and expanded in several segments to meet international standards. The 1990s and early 2000s witnessed significant investment in improving the safety and capacity of the highway, particularly in the high-traffic urban sections around Ankara and Sofia. The most recent major refurbishment project, completed in 2019, focused on the northern mountainous stretch of the highway in Turkey, where a new alignment reduced travel time by nearly 30 percent.
Economic Significance
Freight Transport
The E87 is a key freight corridor that enables the movement of goods between Black Sea ports and inland production areas. The highway carries a substantial portion of grain, coal, and manufactured goods that are shipped through the ports of Varna and Burgas into the broader European market. The road also facilitates the transport of timber from the forests of Rize and Artvin to processing facilities in central Turkey.
Tourism
The scenic portions of the E87 attract tourists seeking natural beauty and cultural heritage. The mountainous stretches of eastern Turkey offer vistas of high plateau landscapes, while the coastal sections provide access to seaside resorts along the Black Sea. In Bulgaria, travelers often use the highway to reach Varna and the beaches of the Black Sea, contributing to local economies.
Cultural Exchange
The E87 serves as a conduit for cultural exchange between Turkey, the Balkan states, and Russia. It connects historic sites such as the old city walls of Rize, the religious monuments of Erzurum, and the Ottoman-era churches of Varna. This connectivity enhances tourism flows, academic collaborations, and commercial partnerships across national borders.
Economic Significance
Trade Hubs
Trabzon, Ankara, Sofia, and Varna are major nodes along the route, each contributing significantly to regional economies. Trabzon’s port facilitates grain exports to Northern Europe, while Ankara serves as the administrative and financial centre of Turkey. Sofia’s proximity to the E87 allows it to function as a logistics hub for Bulgaria, handling both import and export traffic. Varna’s port further enhances the capacity for maritime trade, especially for bulk commodities destined for Central Europe.
Industrial Corridors
The route passes through several industrial corridors, including the metallurgical plants of Malatya and the automotive factories in Ankara. In Russia, the corridor connects industrial facilities in Stavropol Krai, including the production of chemicals and heavy machinery. These industrial clusters rely heavily on the highway for both raw material supply and finished product distribution.
Regional Development
Investment in the E87 has spurred development in rural areas along the route. The improvement of transportation links has attracted new businesses, such as logistics centres and service stations, creating employment opportunities. The increased accessibility has also encouraged the expansion of the service sector, including hospitality and retail, particularly in the smaller towns that benefit from improved tourist flows.
Infrastructure and Engineering
Roadway Characteristics
The E87 is built to meet UNECE standards for international highways. The road surface is composed of a high‑performance asphalt mixture designed to resist temperature fluctuations and heavy traffic loads. In mountain sections, the road includes guardrails and signage to alert drivers to sharp turns and steep grades. Urban segments are often upgraded to dual carriageways, incorporating median strips and separate turning lanes to reduce congestion.
Maintenance
Maintenance responsibilities for the E87 are shared between national highway authorities of each country. In Turkey, the General Directorate of Highways (KGM) oversees the upkeep of the sections within its jurisdiction. Bulgarian authorities maintain the highway through the Ministry of Transport, while Serbian and Russian segments fall under their respective national highway administrations. The UNECE periodically conducts audits to ensure that the road complies with international safety and quality standards.
Safety
Safety measures on the E87 include the installation of guardrails, improved road markings, and signage in multiple languages for international travelers. In recent years, traffic monitoring systems, such as speed cameras and incident detection units, have been deployed in high‑risk sections, particularly in the Anatolian highlands and the mountainous borders between Turkey and Russia. The addition of rest areas along the route provides drivers with safe locations for breaks, reducing fatigue‑related accidents.
Intersections and Connectivity
Major Intersections
The E87 intersects with several other European routes, providing seamless connectivity across the continent:
- E75: Intersects at Niš, Serbia, providing a direct link to Belgrade and the broader Central European network.
- E82: Intersects at Trabzon, Turkey, allowing access to the coastal highway network along the Black Sea.
- E85: Provides indirect connectivity at the Turkish-Greek border, linking travelers to Athens and Thessaloniki.
- M4: The Russian federal highway that serves as the southern terminus of the E87 in Stavropol.
Connectivity to Regional Transport Networks
In addition to the major intersections, the E87 offers connections to local and regional transport infrastructures. In Ankara, the highway links to the A2 motorway, which facilitates east–west traffic across Turkey. In Sofia, the E87 intersects with the A1 motorway, enabling travel to the capital and to the borders with the Czech Republic and Hungary. The route also provides access to railway stations in major cities, promoting intermodal transport solutions.
Future Developments
Proposed Extensions
There are several proposed extensions to the E87 aimed at improving regional connectivity. One proposal involves extending the route further south into the Republic of North Macedonia, thereby providing a direct link to the Adriatic Sea. Another proposal seeks to extend the highway northwards into the Russian city of Astrakhan, creating a corridor that connects the Caspian Sea with the Black Sea and facilitating trade between the Eurasian and European markets.
European Transport Integration
As part of the European Union’s larger transport policy, the E87 is slated for integration into the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN‑T). This integration involves aligning the highway’s standards with the European Common Strategic Roads Programme, ensuring that the E87 supports long‑term freight corridors and promotes sustainable transport. The integration process also includes the development of dedicated freight lanes, cycle paths, and improved pedestrian infrastructure in urban sections to accommodate diverse traffic needs.
Technological Upgrades
Future projects for the E87 focus on the deployment of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). These systems will include real-time traffic monitoring, dynamic signage, and automated incident response units. The goal of the ITS deployment is to enhance safety, reduce travel times, and optimize traffic flow across the diverse terrains of the route. Pilot projects in Ankara and Sofia have already demonstrated the effectiveness of such technologies, prompting plans for wider implementation along the remaining stretches of the highway.
See Also
Other European routes, Black Sea transport corridor, International E-road network, Trans-European Transport Network, UNECE transport policies, National highway systems of Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Russia.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!