Autoroute 40

Autoroute 40 is a major east–west highway in Canada, forming a critical transportation link through the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. In Quebec, it is officially named the Autoroute Félix-Leclerc in honor of the famed poet and songwriter, while its Ontario segment is designated as Highway 417 and forms part of the Trans-Canada Highway. The route serves as a primary corridor connecting the National Capital Region with Montreal and the Laurentides region, traversing significant urban and rural landscapes.

Route description

The highway begins its western terminus at an interchange with Highway 17 near Arnprior, approximately 50 kilometers west of Ottawa. It proceeds eastward through the Ottawa Valley, crossing the Ottawa River into Quebec at the Île aux Allumettes. Within Quebec, the route passes through the Outaouais region before skirting the northern fringes of Montreal, where it forms a vital bypass known as the Metropolitan Expressway through the Laval and North Shore areas. The terrain transitions from the flat plains of the St. Lawrence River valley to the rolling foothills of the Laurentian Mountains, offering views of the Gatineau River and Rivière des Mille Îles. Key engineering features include the Louis-Bisson Bridge and complex interchanges with Autoroute 15 and Autoroute 25.

History

Planning for this major artery began in the post-war era as part of a national push for improved infrastructure, with the Quebec segment initially conceptualized in the 1960s under the government of Jean Lesage. The first section opened to traffic in 1963 near Repentigny, with subsequent extensions progressing westward. The highway's designation as part of the Trans-Canada Highway system was formalized through federal-provincial agreements involving the Department of Public Works. In 1994, the Quebec portion was renamed to commemorate Félix Leclerc, a decision championed by then-Premier Daniel Johnson Jr.. Significant upgrades, including the completion of the A-40 bypass around Montreal and the twinning of sections near Saint-Eustache, were completed in the early 2000s.

Major intersections

From west to east, the route meets several other critical highways. In Ontario, it intersects Highway 416 providing a direct link to the United States via Interstate 81. After crossing into Quebec, major junctions include Autoroute 5 near Gatineau, which leads to downtown Ottawa, and Autoroute 50 at L'Ange-Gardien. The route converges with Autoroute 15 (the Décarie Expressway) in Montreal, a notoriously congested interchange. Further east, it meets Autoroute 25 (leading to Autoroute 20) near Charlemagne and Autoroute 31 in Repentigny. The eastern terminus is at the junction with Autoroute 640 in Bois-des-Filion.

Exit list

The exit numbering sequence begins in the west. Notable exits in Ontario include Exit 72 for Arnprior and Exit 112 for the interchange with Highway 416. In Quebec, key exits are Exit 148 for Autoroute 5 towards Gatineau, Exit 178 for Montreal–Trudeau International Airport via Autoroute 520, and Exit 87 for the Île Jésus region of Laval. The densely packed central section through Montreal features exits for major arteries like Route 117 and Boulevard Pie-IX. The final exit, number 104, provides access to Autoroute 640 and Route 344 in Bois-des-Filion.

Category:Transportation in Quebec Category:Transportation in Ontario Category:Trans-Canada Highway