Quebec Autoroute 55
Encyclopedia
Autoroute 55Autoroute 55 (also called Autoroute de l'Énergie (North of the Autoroute 20
) and Autoroute Joseph-Armand Bombardier (South part) is an important north-south Autoroute
and the only one running in that direction in central Quebec
. It is the longest north-south Autoroute, beginning the Canada-United States border
at Stanstead to Shawinigan where it downgrades to Route 155. The total length of A-55 is currently 247 km (153.5 mi) long, including concurrencies with Autoroutes 10
, 20
and 40
.
This Autoroute connects the mid-sized communities of Sherbrooke, Drummondville, Trois-Rivières
and Shawinigan and the smaller communities in between. The most notable feature on A-55 is the Laviolette Bridge
between Trois-Rivières and Bécancour
, which is one of the longest bridges in Quebec and in Canada
.
A-55 had a short "gap" between Bécancour and Drummondville which was under construction and it was completed in October 2006. The gap results from Transports Quebec
's original intention of bringing A-55 southeast towards Victoriaville
along what is now Autoroute 955
before shifting southwest to rejoin existing A-55 near Richmond
. However, the plans changed in the 1970s and the present routing was chosen. The southern section was originally supposed to be Autoroute 51 which was intended to continue to the planned extension of Autoroute 30
in Pierreville
. A-55 was signed along Route 155 (which is not an Autoroute-standard highway) until the new route was completed.
All of the southern portion of A-55 became a full four-lane freeway by the end of October 2006. The gap being filled in the northern portion will initially be a two-lane freeway for about 20 km (12.4 mi), but it is intended to ultimately be four lanes.
The designation Autoroute Joseph-Armand Bombardier is in honour of Quebec businessman Joseph-Armand Bombardier
, who lived in Valcourt, near where A-55 passes and who invented the snowmobile
there. His company, Bombardier Inc., started by building snowmobiles and eventually grew into a major international manufacturer of transit vehicles and aircraft.
The designation Autoroute de l'Énergie means "Energy Highway", since it provides access to the Gentilly Nuclear Generating Station
in Bécancour
and the hydroelectric facilities in Shawinigan and the Haut-Saint-Maurice region
, although this section north of A-20 is likely to remain at its comparatively short length to Shawinigan for the foreseeable future.
Quebec Autoroute 20
Autoroute 20 is a major Quebec Autoroute, following the Saint Lawrence River through one of the more densely-populated parts of Canada, and is part of the Trans-Canada Highway. At , it is the longest Autoroute in Quebec...
) and Autoroute Joseph-Armand Bombardier (South part) is an important north-south Autoroute
Autoroute (Quebec)
The Autoroute system is a network of expressways in the province of Quebec, Canada, operating under the same principle of controlled access as the Interstate Highway System in the United States or the 400-Series Highways in neighbouring Ontario. The Autoroutes are the backbone of Quebec's highway...
and the only one running in that direction in central Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. It is the longest north-south Autoroute, beginning the Canada-United States border
Canada-United States border
The Canada–United States border, officially known as the International Boundary, is the longest border in the world. The terrestrial boundary is 8,891 kilometers long, including 2,475 kilometres shared with Alaska...
at Stanstead to Shawinigan where it downgrades to Route 155. The total length of A-55 is currently 247 km (153.5 mi) long, including concurrencies with Autoroutes 10
Quebec Autoroute 10
Autoroute 10 is an Autoroute in southern Quebec, Canada...
, 20
Quebec Autoroute 20
Autoroute 20 is a major Quebec Autoroute, following the Saint Lawrence River through one of the more densely-populated parts of Canada, and is part of the Trans-Canada Highway. At , it is the longest Autoroute in Quebec...
and 40
Quebec Autoroute 40
Autoroute 40 is a major highway on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada. It is one of the two main connections between Montreal and Quebec City...
.
This Autoroute connects the mid-sized communities of Sherbrooke, Drummondville, Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières means three rivers in French and may refer to:in Canada*Trois-Rivières, the largest city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada*Circuit Trois-Rivières, a racetrack in Trois-Rivières, Quebec...
and Shawinigan and the smaller communities in between. The most notable feature on A-55 is the Laviolette Bridge
Laviolette Bridge
The Laviolette Bridge is an arch bridge connecting the city of Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada to Bécancour on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River via Autoroute 55.-Overview:...
between Trois-Rivières and Bécancour
Bécancour, Quebec
Bécancour is a town in the Centre-du-Québec region of Québec, Canada; it is the seat of the Bécancour Regional County Municipality. It is located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the confluence of the Bécancour River, opposite Trois-Rivières.Wôlinak, an Abenaki Indian reserve, is...
, which is one of the longest bridges in Quebec and in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
A-55 had a short "gap" between Bécancour and Drummondville which was under construction and it was completed in October 2006. The gap results from Transports Quebec
Transports Québec
Le ministère des Transports du Québec , known by its short form name Transports Québec, is a Quebec government ministry responsible for transport infrastructure and law in Quebec, Canada....
's original intention of bringing A-55 southeast towards Victoriaville
Victoriaville, Quebec
Victoriaville is a city in central Quebec, Canada, on the Nicolet River. Victoriaville is the seat of Arthabaska Regional County Municipality and a part of the Centre-du-Québec region.-Description:...
along what is now Autoroute 955
Quebec Autoroute 955
Autoroute 955 is a short 14.7km two-lane highway which links Autoroute 20 in Sainte-Eulalie with Saint-Albert.This short section of Autoroute was destined to become part of a much longer section of freeway, as Autoroute 55 was supposed to follow this route south towards Warwick and Richmond, as...
before shifting southwest to rejoin existing A-55 near Richmond
Richmond, Quebec
Richmond, population 3,336 , is a town nestled amidst rolling farmlands on the Saint-François River between Sherbrooke and Drummondville, in the heart of Estrie in Quebec, Canada.-Richmond today:...
. However, the plans changed in the 1970s and the present routing was chosen. The southern section was originally supposed to be Autoroute 51 which was intended to continue to the planned extension of Autoroute 30
Quebec Autoroute 30
Autoroute 30 is a superhighway in Quebec, Canada.There are three segments currently open for travel:...
in Pierreville
Pierreville, Quebec
Pierreville is a community in Nicolet-Yamaska Regional County Municipality, Quebec, located at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Saint-François rivers, at the edge of Lac Saint-Pierre. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 2,337....
. A-55 was signed along Route 155 (which is not an Autoroute-standard highway) until the new route was completed.
All of the southern portion of A-55 became a full four-lane freeway by the end of October 2006. The gap being filled in the northern portion will initially be a two-lane freeway for about 20 km (12.4 mi), but it is intended to ultimately be four lanes.
The designation Autoroute Joseph-Armand Bombardier is in honour of Quebec businessman Joseph-Armand Bombardier
Joseph-Armand Bombardier
Joseph-Armand Bombardier was a Canadian inventor and businessman, and was the founder of Bombardier...
, who lived in Valcourt, near where A-55 passes and who invented the snowmobile
Snowmobile
A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
there. His company, Bombardier Inc., started by building snowmobiles and eventually grew into a major international manufacturer of transit vehicles and aircraft.
The designation Autoroute de l'Énergie means "Energy Highway", since it provides access to the Gentilly Nuclear Generating Station
Gentilly Nuclear Generating Station
Gentilly Nuclear Generating Station is a Canadian nuclear power station located near Bécancour, Quebec. The facility derives its name from the Gentilly suburb of the city of Bécancour, in which it is located...
in Bécancour
Bécancour, Quebec
Bécancour is a town in the Centre-du-Québec region of Québec, Canada; it is the seat of the Bécancour Regional County Municipality. It is located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the confluence of the Bécancour River, opposite Trois-Rivières.Wôlinak, an Abenaki Indian reserve, is...
and the hydroelectric facilities in Shawinigan and the Haut-Saint-Maurice region
Haut-Saint-Maurice Regional County Municipality, Quebec
The Haut-Saint-Maurice Regional County Municipality is a former regional county municipality in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada. It was formed on January 1, 1982, and dissolved on March 26, 2003, when it was amalgamated in its entirety into the new City of La Tuque...
, although this section north of A-20 is likely to remain at its comparatively short length to Shawinigan for the foreseeable future.
Exit list
| RCM or ET | Location | No. Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Continues into Vermont as  Interstate 91Interstate 91 Interstate 91 is an Interstate Highway in the New England region of the United States. It provides the primary north–south thoroughfare in the western part of New England... |
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| Memphrémagog Memphrémagog Regional County Municipality, Quebec Memphrémagog is a Quebec Regional County Municipality in Canada.-History:After the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783, the American Revolutionary War ended with the establishment of the state of Vermont. The border of Upper Canada was then defined at approximately 45 degrees north... |
Stanstead | At-grade intersection At-grade intersection An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting... |
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| 2 | ||||
| Chemin Curtis | At-grade intersection At-grade intersection An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting... |
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| Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley is a municipality on Quebec Route 108 along Little Lake Magog. It is part of the Memphrémagog Regional County Municipality in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec. It is the home of the "Marais" birdwatching sanctuary, the Eglise Sainte Catherine de Hatley, as well as... |
21 | |||
| 29 | ||||
| Magog Magog, Quebec Magog is a city in southeastern Quebec, Canada, about east of Montreal at the confluence of Lake Memphremagog--after which the city was named—with the Rivière aux Cerises and the Magog River... |
32 | Rue-Saint-Patrice, Boulevard Industriel | ||
| 33 | , Omerville | |||
| 34/121 | Signed as exits 34-E (East) and 34-O (West) northbound / Signed as 121 southbound / South end of A-10 overlap | |||
| 123 | , Omerville, Saint-Denis-de-Brompton | |||
| Sherbrooke | Sherbrooke | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | ||
| 128 | ||||
| 133 | Rock Forest Rock Forest, Quebec Rock Forest–Saint-Élie–Deauville is an arrondissement, or borough, of the city of Sherbrooke, Quebec.The borough comprises the formerly independent cities of Rock Forest, Deauville and Saint-Élie-d'Orford, which were annexed into the city of Sherbrooke on January 1, 2002... , Saint-Élie-d'Orford |
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| 137 | ||||
| 140 | ||||
| 141 | Chemin Saint-Joseph | |||
| 143 | North end of A-10 overlap | |||
| 58 | ||||
| 60 | Bromptonville Bromptonville, Quebec Brompton is an arrondissement, or borough, of the city of Sherbrooke, Quebec. The borough comprises the former city of Bromptonville, which was amalgamated into the city of Sherbrooke in 2002.... |
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| Le Val-Saint-François Le Val-Saint-François Regional County Municipality, Quebec -References:... |
Windsor Windsor, Quebec Windsor is a town of 5,300 people, part of the Le Val-Saint-François Regional County Municipality in the Estrie region of Quebec, Canada, for which it is the seat.... |
71 | Signed as exits 71N (north) and 71S (south) northbound | |
| Melbourne Melbourne, Quebec Melbourne is a township of 950 people, part of the Le Val-Saint-François Regional County Municipality in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec.-External links:*... |
85 | |||
| 88 | ||||
| Ulverton Ulverton, Quebec Ulverton is a municipality in Quebec.... |
98 | Chemin Mooney | ||
| Drummond Drummond Regional County Municipality, Quebec Drummond is a regional county municipality in central Quebec, Canada. The regional county municipality seat is Drummondville.-Communities:*Cities & Towns**Drummondville*Municipalities**Durham-Sud**L'Avenir**Lefebvre**Saint-Bonaventure... |
L'Avenir L'Avenir, Quebec L'Avenir is a municipality located in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 1,262.-Population:Population trend-Language:Mother tongue language -References:... |
103 | Lefebvre Lefebvre, Quebec Lefebvre is a municipality located in the Centre-du-Québec region of Quebec. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 806.-Population:Population trend-Language:Mother tongue language -References:... , L'Avenir L'Avenir, Quebec L'Avenir is a municipality located in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 1,262.-Population:Population trend-Language:Mother tongue language -References:... , Ulverton Ulverton, Quebec Ulverton is a municipality in Quebec.... , Durham-Sud |
|
| Drummondville | 111 | Route Caya | ||
| 116 | ||||
| 122 | Boulevard Jean-de-Brébeuf - Drummondville | |||
| 125 | ||||
| 128 | South end of A-20 overlap | |||
| See Autoroute 20 | ||||
| Nicolet-Yamaska Nicolet-Yamaska Regional County Municipality, Quebec Nicolet-Yamaska is a Regional County Municipality in the Centre-du-Québec region of Quebec in Canada.The county seat is Nicolet.-Communities:*Cities and Towns** Nicolet*Municipalities** Aston-Jonction** Baie-du-Febvre** Grand-Saint-Esprit... |
Sainte-Eulalie Sainte-Eulalie, Quebec Sainte-Eulalie is a municipality in the Nicolet-Yamaska RCM in the Centre-du-Québec region of Quebec, Canada, situated at the crossroads of Autoroutes 55, 20 and 955... |
145 | Signed as exits 145-O (west) and 145-E (east) southbound / North end of A-20 overlap | |
| Saint-Wenceslas Saint-Wenceslas, Quebec Saint-Wenceslas, Quebec is a community in Nicolet-Yamaska Regional County Municipality, Quebec, Canada. The town is situated at a bend in the Bécancour River. The northern branch of Autoroute 55 terminated at the 9e rang of Saint-Wenceslas until its completion in October 2006... |
153 | 9e Rang - Saint-Léonard-d'Aston Saint-Léonard-d'Aston, Quebec Saint-Léonard-d'Aston is a municipality in Nicolet-Yamaska RCM in the Centre-du-Québec region of Quebec, Canada. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 959. The municipality is situated along Route 155, partway between Drummondville and Trois-Rivières. Autoroute 20 and a major intercity... , Saint-Wenceslas Saint-Wenceslas, Quebec Saint-Wenceslas, Quebec is a community in Nicolet-Yamaska Regional County Municipality, Quebec, Canada. The town is situated at a bend in the Bécancour River. The northern branch of Autoroute 55 terminated at the 9e rang of Saint-Wenceslas until its completion in October 2006... |
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| Saint-Célestin (Municipality) Saint-Célestin (municipality), Quebec Saint-Célestin is a municipality in Quebec.... |
at-grade intersection At-grade intersection An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting... |
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| Bécancour Bécancour Regional County Municipality, Quebec Bécancour is a regional county municipality in central Quebec, Canada. The regional county municipality seat is Bécancour.-Communities:*Cities & Towns**Bécancour*Municipalities**Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent**Fortierville**Lemieux**Manseau... |
Bécancour Bécancour, Quebec Bécancour is a town in the Centre-du-Québec region of Québec, Canada; it is the seat of the Bécancour Regional County Municipality. It is located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the confluence of the Bécancour River, opposite Trois-Rivières.Wôlinak, an Abenaki Indian reserve, is... |
Rang Prince | at-grade intersection At-grade intersection An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting... |
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| Chemin Forest - Précieux-Sang, Quebec Précieux-Sang, Quebec Précieux-Sang is a community of the city of Bécancour, Quebec.... |
at-grade intersection At-grade intersection An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting... |
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| Chemin Thibodeau | at-grade intersection At-grade intersection An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting... |
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| at-grade intersection At-grade intersection An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting... |
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| 176 | ||||
| Laviolette Bridge Laviolette Bridge The Laviolette Bridge is an arch bridge connecting the city of Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada to Bécancour on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River via Autoroute 55.-Overview:... over the St. Lawrence River |
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| Trois-Rivières Trois-Rivières Trois-Rivières means three rivers in French and may refer to:in Canada*Trois-Rivières, the largest city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada*Circuit Trois-Rivières, a racetrack in Trois-Rivières, Quebec... |
Trois-Rivières Trois-Rivières Trois-Rivières means three rivers in French and may refer to:in Canada*Trois-Rivières, the largest city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada*Circuit Trois-Rivières, a racetrack in Trois-Rivières, Quebec... |
181 | ||
| 182 | South end of A-40 overlap | |||
| 183 | Boulevard Jean-XXIII | |||
| 186 | * North end of A-40 overlap * Access to Boulevard des Forges via Boulevard des Chenaux and Boulevard du Rochon, approximately a 3 kilometre drive from A-55 |
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| 191 | Boulevard Industriel, Boulevard Saint-Michel | |||
| 196 | Boulevard des Forges - Saint-Thomas-de-Caxton | |||
| Maskinongé Maskinongé Regional County Municipality, Quebec Maskinongé is a county regional municipality of Quebec in central Quebec, Canada in the Mauricie region. The seat is in Louiseville. It is located adjacent on the west of Trois-Rivières on the Saint Lawrence River.... |
Saint-Étienne-des-Grès | |||
| 202 | Saint-Étienne-des-Grès, Saint-Barnabé Saint-Barnabé, Quebec Saint-Barnabé, also known as Saint-Barnabé-Nord, is a parish municipality in the Mauricie region of the province of Quebec in Canada.-List of Mayors:The Mayor is the municipality's highest elected official. Saint-Barnabé has had fifty mayors.... |
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| 206 | Saint-Boniface | |||
| Saint-Boniface | 211 | |||
| Shawinigan | Shawinigan | 216 | Rue Burrill | |
| 217 | ||||
| 220 | Boulevard Hubert-Biermans, Boulevard Vallée-du-Parc | |||
| 223 | 5e avenue, 25e rue | |||
| 226 | 8e rue, 4e rue - Grand-Mère, Saint-Jean des Piles | |||
| Continues as Route 155 Quebec route 155 Route 155 is a north/south highway on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada. Its northern terminus is in Chambord at the junction of Route 169, and the southern terminus is the Piles Bridge in Shawinigan... |
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