A 2+2 road is a specific type of dual-carriageway that exists primarily in Ireland, Sweden, Estonia and Finland, consisting of two lanes in each direction separated by a steel cable barrier.
These roads do not have shoulder (road), hard shoulders and therefore cannot be designated as motorways in the future. However, they may be designated as limited-access roads, as such roads do not require the physical standard of motorways to be designated as expressways. The Irish variant has lanes where there are a number of Swedish variants some with lanes.
Junctions are generally at-grade roundabouts and minor roads cross under or over the mainline without connecting. They are also known as "type 2 dual-carriageways" by the Irish National Roads Authority. These roads look similar to expressways, except that expressways often have interchanges, large medians or concrete barriers between traffic.
History
First Irish 2+2
In Ireland first purpose-built road of this type opened in December 2007
as a new greenfield section of the N4 road (Ireland), N4 national primary route which joins Dublin to Sligo.
See also
* 2+1 road
* Limited-access road
References
{{Road types
Road surface markings
Roads in the Republic of Ireland, Ireland
Roads in Sweden
Types of roads