Highway 138 (Quebec)

Highway 138 (Quebec)
Province	Quebec
Type	QC
Route	138
Length km	1210
Direction a	West
Terminus a	Gatineau
Direction b	East
Terminus b	Blanc‑Sablon
Established	1920s
Cities	Gatineau, Montréal, Québec City, Trois‑Rivières, Rimouski, Baie‑Comeau, Sept‑Îles, Port‑Cartier, Natashquan, Havre‑Saint‑Pierre

Highway 138 (Quebec) Route 138 is a major provincial roadway that links southwestern Outaouais through Montreal and Québec City to remote communities along the Lower North Shore and eastern Labrador approaches. The highway traverses diverse landscapes from the Ottawa River valley and St. Lawrence River corridor to boreal coastline, connecting urban centres, regional hubs, and isolated settlements. It functions as a principal arterial in Montérégie, Montreal, Chaudière‑Appalaches, Bas‑Saint‑Laurent, and Côte‑Nord regions, forming continuity with ferries and local roads to complete the provincial network.

Route description

The western segment begins near Gatineau and runs east into the Outaouais, intersecting with Autoroute 50 and passing near Hull, Aylmer, Chelsea, Wakefield, and Montebello. Entering Montérégie, it links Saint‑André‑Avellin, Hawkesbury, and the Ottawa River shore before approaching the Island of Montreal via the Pont Viau and Autoroute 440 interfaces, intersecting Autoroute 15, Autoroute 40, Autoroute 20, and skirting Laval and Longueuil. Through Montréal, it follows urban arterials past Old Montréal, Hochelaga‑Maisonneuve, Plateau Mont‑Royal, and connects to Champlain Bridge corridors and the Notre-Dame Street network.

East of Montréal the route parallels the southern bank of the St. Lawrence River, serving Sorel‑Tracy, Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Drummondville, Trois‑Rivières, Shawinigan, and Lac‑Saint‑Jean approaches, also interfacing with Autoroute 55 and Autoroute 73. In the Québec City region it provides access to Old Quebec, Beaupré, and the Île d'Orléans ferry connection, linking to Route 132 and Autoroute 20. Further east the corridor passes Rimouski, Matane, Campbellton approaches, and continues through Baie‑Comeau, Les Escoumins, Havre‑Saint‑Pierre, and Sept‑Îles before reaching the isolated stretches toward Natashquan and Blanc‑Sablon, where it interfaces with coastal communities and ferry terminals serving Labrador City and the Trans‑Labrador Highway.

History

The road evolved from early 19th‑century colonial routes linking Montreal, Québec City, and river ports such as Trois‑Rivières and Rimouski. Provincial investment intensified during the 1920s and 1930s under premiers including Louis‑Philippe‑A. Montpetit–influenced policies and the Great Depression relief programs, linking rural parishes and industrial towns like Shawinigan and Baie‑Comeau. Postwar reconstruction and the construction of Autoroute 20 and Autoroute 40 shifted long‑distance traffic, prompting reclassification and upgrades during the administrations of Maurice Duplessis, Jean Lesage, and later Robert Bourassa. Coastal extensions in the Côte‑Nord and Lower North Shore were driven by resource developments at Port‑Cartier and Sept‑Îles and by strategic transport needs during the Cold War era alongside projects such as the Manicouagan hydroelectric developments serving Hydro‑Québec networks.

Major reconstruction campaigns in the 1960s–1990s improved bridges including the Pont de Québec alternatives and links to ferry services operated by companies such as CTMA and Société des traversiers du Québec. Recent decades saw coordination with federal initiatives like northern connectivity funding and partnerships involving Canada Infrastructure Bank priorities and regional economic development agencies including CRI offices and CLD entities.

Major intersections

Key junctions include interchanges with Autoroute 5 near Gatineau, crossings at Autoroute 50, Autoroute 15 in Laval, and complex interchanges with Autoroute 40 and Autoroute 20 on the Island of Montreal. Further east, major nodes occur at Autoroute 30 south of Montréal, at Autoroute 55 near Drummondville, and at Autoroute 73 in Québec City. Coastal intersections tie into Route 132 at Rimouski, Matane, and Bonaventure, and linkages to regional highways such as Route 138‑adjacent collectors and municipal networks provide access to ports like Port‑de‑Plaisance and ferry terminals at Rivière‑du‑Loup and Sainte‑Anne‑des‑Monts. Northern terminus connections align with access to the Trans‑Labrador Highway near Blanc‑Sablon.

Traffic and operations

Traffic volumes vary from urban peak flows in Montréal, Québec City, and Gatineau—where counts are comparable to those on Autoroute 15 and Autoroute 20—to low daily averages in the Côte‑Nord and Lower North Shore. Seasonal tourism to Mont‑Saint‑Hilaire, Îles‑de‑Boucherville, Charlevoix, and Gaspésie generates summer spikes; winter operations prioritize snow clearance near Saguenay and Baie‑Comeau. Maintenance responsibilities fall under provincial agencies including the Ministère des Transports du Québec, with coordination for emergency response from local services such as Sûreté du Québec, municipal police forces, and regional EMS providers. Freight movements serve industries at Port of Montréal, Port of Québec, Montreal–Trudeau International Airport via feeder roads, and resource transport to mining hubs like Sept‑Îles.

Future developments and upgrades

Planned upgrades focus on safety improvements, two‑lane to four‑lane widenings near growth corridors around Trois‑Rivières and Rimouski, bridge rehabilitations in the Québec City region, and improved ferry and multimodal links at Matane and Blanc‑Sablon. Projects align with provincial strategic plans promoted by administrations including François Legault and federal partners like Infrastructure Canada to enhance northern accessibility, support tourism to Gaspésie and Charlevoix, and integrate with energy corridors serving Hydro‑Québec facilities and mining expansions near Port‑Cartier. Environmental assessments consider impacts on habitats like those near Manicouagan Reservoir and migratory bird areas recognized by Ramsar‑listed sites.

Related services and amenities

Along the corridor travelers encounter regional airports such as Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, and regional airfields at Rimouski and Sept‑Îles. Intercity rail connections via Via Rail operate on parallel corridors between Montréal and Québec City, with bus services from operators like Orléans Express and local transit agencies including Société de transport de Montréal and RTC de Québec. Ferry operators such as CTMA and municipal marinas provide maritime links to Île d'Orléans, Grosse‑Île, and remote coastal communities; roadside amenities include provincial rest areas, service stations operated by companies like Petro‑Canada and Esso, and accommodations branded under Hilton, Best Western, and independent inns in historic districts like Old Quebec.

Category:Roads in Quebec