Country: | ESP |
Type: | AP |
Route: | 68 |
Map: | E804.PNG |
Length Km: | 272 |
Terminus A: | Zaragoza |
Terminus B: | Bilbao |
The Autopista AP-68 (also AP-68, Autopista Vasco-Aragonesa or Autopista del Ebro)[1] is a Spanish autopista route. It connects Zaragoza with Bilbao via Tudela, Calahorra and Logroño. The entirety of the route forms the entirety of the European route E804, a B class road in the International E-road Network.
AP-68 / E 804 begins in Bilbao, Spain, passes by Logroño, and ends in Zaragoza, following the path of the Autopista/Autovia 68.
It has junctions with Autovía A-2, Autovía A-15, Autovía A-1 and ends at the Autovía A-8.
The highway begins in link 22 of the AP-8 (E-70) and ends on link 318 of the A-2 (E-90) (Autovía del Nordeste). Built between 1974 and 1979, its length is about 295 km. Until 2003, this highway was known as A-68.
In 2000, the José María Aznar government, the PP, extended the highway concession that expired in 2011 up to 2026,[2] making its recovery impossible, as it was strongly criticized by the Aragon regions and the Basque Country, then governed by PSOE-Aragon and PNV, respectively. In exchange for the extension of the concession, certain tolls became cheaper. The closing date of the award is November 10, 2026.[3]
The highway concessionaire has signed agreements with the Government of La Rioja and the Regional Government of Aragón to enable certain routes free of charge, provided the VIA-T device is used.
For journeys between the Cenicero (10) links and Agoncillo (13), inclusive, and intermediate, tolls are free for users of VIA-T.
Since February 1, 2008, light vehicles that perform return trips within a 24-hour period on any route between the Haro (9) links and Alfaro (16), inclusive, and intermediate, tolls are free for users of VIA-T. Until that date only the toll for the return trip was free, under the same conditions.
Since February 1, 2009, if a return trip is made between the Gallur (19) and Zaragoza (23) links in a 24-hour period, light vehicles are free where the same route is taken for the outward and return journey and the same VIA-T device is used.
In the Basque section a social toll is applied, only to citizens registered in Álava, with discounts for those taking more than 25 trips per month.