An alternative to the Via Appia was built by Emperor Trajan in 109 AD as part of a building spree after his defeat of Dacia (modern Romania) replenished the coffers and ushered in an era of relative peace. A roman coin was issued commemorating the Traiana.
Strabo notes that the new coastal road was a day's travel shorter between Benevento and Brindisi. It wasn't actually shorter in distance, but the geography is mainly flat once the road makes it into Puglia and it was much easier going, thus faster.
