Lateral Road

East-West Highway
Lateral Road
Route information
Length713 km[1] (443 mi)
As of 2017. Bypasses under construction to shorten length.
636 km per Google Maps.[2]
Major junctions
Southwest endPhuentsholing
East endTrashigang
Location
CountryBhutan
Highway system

The East-West Highway, also known as the Lateral Road, is Bhutan's primary east–west corridor, connecting Phuentsholing in the southwest to Trashigang in the east. In between, the Lateral Road runs directly through Wangdue Phodrang, Trongsa, and other population centers. The Lateral Road also has spurs connecting to the capital Thimphu and other major population centers such as Paro and Punakha.

The Lateral Road traverses are a number of high passes, including Tremo La and Dochu La. The highest pass on the road is at Chele La;[3] the second-highest pass is at Trumshing La in central Bhutan at an altitude of over 3,800 m (12,500 ft).[4]

  1. ^ "Bhutan Road Network".
  2. ^ Google Maps
  3. ^ "Chele la Pass | Bhutan Travel & Tour | Druk Asia". www.drukasia.com. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  4. ^ Bisht, Ramesh Chandra. "Geographic Features". International Encyclopaedia Of Himalayas (5 Vols.). Mittal Publications. p. 49. ISBN 81-8324-265-0. Retrieved 2011-08-30.