A2 Highway (Ethiopia)

The A2 Highway is a trunk road in Ethiopia. It connects the capital Addis Ababa with Mekelle passing through the Amhara Region, as well as with Wukro, Adigrat, Axum, Shire and Humera. Ethiopian the A2 has a length of . The Italians built the road between Asmara (Italian Eritrea) and Addis Abeba in 1935-1938. This was an asphalted road of 1077 kms called "Via della Vittoria" (road of victory) and was considered a world masterpiece of engineering. The road had 62 bridges and 15 tunnels. The road was going to be continued until Mogadishu (Italian Somalia), but the start of WW2 blocked this project. Towns and cities along the A2 include, from north to south: Humera Sheraro, connection to Badme (Eritrea) Adi Dairo Shire – , connection to (south) Inda Aba Guna, May Tsebri and Debarq; (west) Kisad Gaba, Mayhansse, Dedebit and Addi Remets Selekleka or Seleh Leha – Wkro or Wukro Maray Axum – Adwa-Adi Abun – , connection to (south) Abi Addi and (north) Rama Enticho – , connection to Yeha Bizet – Adigrat – , connection to Zalambessa, FatsiSebeya and Asmara (Eritrea) Idaga Hamus – Freweyni – , connection to Hawzen and Nebelet Negash – Wukro – , connection to Atsbi Agula – , connection to Berhale (Afar) Maymekden – , connection to Mekelle, Hagre Selam and Abi Addi Kwiha – , connection to Mekelle and Abala Adi Gudem – Alagi Pass – Ambalage – Alege Pass – Maychew – , connection to Mekoni Korem – Alamata – , connection to Mekoni Kobo – , connection to Lalibela Woldiya – , connection to Gashena, Lalibela, Debre Tabor, Bahir Dar and Gondar. Mersa Wichale Dessie – Kombolcha, connection to Afar Debre Sina – Debre Sina Tunnel (length – , elevation – Debre Birhan – Addis Abeba – There are three high-mountain passes on the A2: Between Ambalage and Adi Gudem over the Alagi pass near Amba Alagi at a height of 3090 meters. Between Maychew and Ambalage over the Alage pass at a height of 2990 meters. Just west of Debre Sina, the national highway reaches its apex at 3120 meters, formerly the Passo Mussolini.