| Autoroutes of Quebec | |
|---|---|
   Highway shields for Autoroutes 5, 20 and 640 | |
 The current Autoroute network in Quebec | |
| System information | |
| Maintained by Transports Quebec (MTQ) | |
| Length | 2,381.9 km[1][2] (1,480.0 mi) |
| Formed | 1958 |
| System links | |
The Quebec Autoroute System or le système d'autoroute au Québec is a network of freeways within the province of Quebec, Canada, operating under the same principle of controlled access as the Interstate Highway System in the United States and the 400-series highways in neighbouring Ontario. The Autoroutes are the backbone of Quebec's highway system, spanning almost 2,400 km (1,491 miles). The speed limit on the Autoroutes is generally 100 km/h (62 mph) in rural areas and 70–90 km/h (43–56 mph) in urban areas; most roads are made of asphalt concrete.
The word autoroute is a blend of auto and route, equivalent to "freeway" or "motorway" in English, and it became the equivalent of "expressway" in French. In the 1950s, when the first Autoroutes were being planned, the design documents called them autostrades from the Italian word autostrada.[3]
- ^ Ministère des Transport: "Distances routières", page 5, Les Publication du Québec, 2005
- ^ "Répertoire des autoroutes du Québec" (in French). Transports Québec. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
- ^
- In 1900 the word autostrade was used in Aéroport intercontinental. Bassin d'Arcachon. Le Teich Editor: J. Bière (Bordeaux) http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k96147718/f15.image
- In 1924, the Italian word autostrada was coined (See http://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/autostrade )
- In 1924, the words auto-strade and auto-route were used in the French language in Revue d'artillerie (Nancy, Paris, etc.) 1924-01 http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k9666738n/f408.item for construction af road for exclusive use of automobile in Italie
- In 1925, the first autostrada was opened in Italy (See http://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/autostrade )
- In 1925, some tourist organisations become involved in debates around autoroutes; see Bulletin officiel / Union des fédérations des syndicats d'initiative de France, colonies et protectorats by the Union des fédérations des syndicats d'initiative de France Colonies et Protectorats (Paris) 1925-03 http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5670134h/f54.item
- In 1931, an autoroute meeting (Congrés international des autoroutes) occurred, organised by an autoroute organisation (Bureau international des autoroutes); See Le Journal (Paris) 1931-09-01 Contributors: Fernand Xau and Henri Letellier 1931-09-01 (N14198). page 3 http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k76307767/f3.item
- In 1932, Paris started a project of autoroute building; See Le Journal (Paris) 1932-04-27 Contributor: Fernand Xau and Henri Letellier 1932-04-27 (N14437), page 2 http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k76299484/f2.item
- In 1935, France creates legal concepts regarding the building of autoroutes: Dictionnaire du notariat: répertoire général de droit civil et fiscal avec formules. Tome 15 / par les rédacteurs du Journal des Notaires et des Avocats Editor: Administration of the "Journal des notaires et des avocats"; Publisher: L. Maretheux (Paris) 1922–1941 http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6268007q/f622.image
- In 1957, studies about the United States make the link between autoroutes, freeways and expressways: expressways have at-grade junctions, freeways are a kind of autoroute with restricted access at each interchange to avoid any conflict point in a sophisticated way such that the driver could be lost if he does not follow the signage; See La Technique sanitaire et municipale: hygiène, services techniques, travaux publics: journal de l'Association générale des ingénieurs, architectes et hygiénistes municipaux de France, Algérie-Tunisie, Belgique, Suisse et Grand-Duché de Luxembourg Author: Association générale des hygiénistes et techniciens municipaux Editor: Berger-Levrault (Paris) 1957-01 http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k9607718j/f28.item