Autoroute 35 (A-35) is an Autoroute in the region of Montérégie, Quebec, Canada. With the first section constructed in the 1960s, the A-35 links Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu with Montreal via the A-10. The A-35 is also the primary route for traffic between Montreal and Boston, although it ends 13.4 km (8.3 mi) short of the U.S. border. South of its current terminus in Saint-Sébastien, the A-35 continues as two-lane Route 133 (which becomes four-lane divided 6.5 km (4.0 mi) north of the border) to the border. An extension of A-35 to meet Interstate 89 at Saint-Armand will complete a nearly 500 km (310 mi) limited-access highway link between Montreal and Boston.[4] It had been scheduled to open in 2017, but was delayed until 2023,[5] and then delayed again until 2026.[6]
Like many Quebec Autoroutes, the A-35 also has a name: Autoroute de la Vallée-des-Forts (Forts Valley Highway). The name refers to a chain of forts built by the French in the Richelieu Valley during the 17th and 18th centuries to defend their colonial settlements from the Iroquois. The A-35 used to be known as Autoroute de la Nouvelle-Angleterre (New England Motorway), referring to its role as a link between Quebec and New England.
History
View of then unopened Autoroute 35 looking northerly from the Route 227 overpass
First constructed in the 1960s, A-35 is currently a 40 km (25 mi) long, 4-lane spur route linking Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu to Autoroute 10. By 1966, 16 km (10 mi) connecting the A-10 in Chambly with Route 104 in Iberville were opened to traffic. Another 3 km (2 mi) of A-35 from Route 104 to its terminus with Route 133 were completed in 1967. Completion of the entire length of A-35 had been scheduled for that year in time for Expo 67, but the province instead focused on expediting construction of autoroutes and approach roads to the Expo site.[7]
For many years, the A-35 featured at-grade intersections with St-Raphael Road and St-Andre Road in Saint-Luc. These intersections were closed in 1999; the St-Andre Road intersection was converted into a partial cloverleaf interchange, while St-Raphael Road was dead-ended on either side of the A-35.
A federal-provincial funding agreement is providing for the completion of the A-35 to Interstate 89 at the U.S. border. The project's objectives are to improve economic links between Quebec and New England, reduce traffic on Route 133 (which is ill-equipped for the traffic it currently carries) and improve quality of life in the region.[4]
Construction of the A-35 extension began in 2009 between Saint-Alexandre and Saint-Sébastien. Construction of the 37.9 km (23.5 mi) extension is divided into four phases. The first sections (both Phase I and Phase II) of new highway between Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Highway 133 to Saint-Sébastien were opened to traffic on October 8, 2014.
Future
On June 10, 2019, Federal and provincial government officials announced plans to extend Quebec's Highway 35 by nearly 9 km (5.6 mi) in the southbound direction (Phase III), extending Highway 35 from Route 133 in Saint-Sébastien to the junction of Route 133 and chemin Champlain and du Moulin in Saint-Armand.[8] This work began in 2020, and as of December 2023 the majority of Phase III has been completed, including an overpass for Route 202 over Highway 35 in Pike River.[9] However, the bridge over Rivière-aux-Brochets is not finished due to a supply chain issue with steel beams.[10][11] The opening is now forecast for Autumn 2025. [12]
Phase IV will complete 4.5 km (2.8 mi) of the project between the intersection of Route 133 and Champlain and du Moulin Roads in Saint-Armand to the U.S. border.[13] An overpass with Route 133 passing over Highway 35, an interchange at the junction of Highway 35, Champlain Road and Route 133 at Saint-Armand, and a roundabout built just to the northeast of that at the intersection of Route 133 and Champlain and Moulin roads in Saint-Armand, were opened to traffic on October 11, 2023.[5][14][15][16]
In addition, the interchange in Saint-Alexandre that was not built as part of Phase II of the extension, which had been planned for the location where Highway 227 crosses Highway 35 on Rang des Dussault, will be moved to the southeast to meet a re-routed Highway 227 that continues southwest from its current intersection at Rang des Soixante and Chemin de la Grande Ligne.[14]
When completed, the length of A-35 will increase to 55 km (34 mi).
