Autoroute 40, officially known as Autoroute Félix-Leclerc outside Montreal and Metropolitan Autoroute/Autoroute Métropolitaine within Montreal, is an Autoroute on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River in the Canadian province of Quebec. It is one of the two major connections between Montreal and Quebec City, the other being Autoroute 20 on the south shore of the St. Lawrence. Autoroute 40 is currently 347km (215.6mi) long. Between the Ontario–Quebec boundary and the interchange with Autoroute 25, the route is signed as part of the Trans-Canada Highway.
The western terminus of Autoroute 40 is located at the Ontario–Quebec border, where it continues as Highway 417 towards Ottawa; the eastern terminus is in Boischatel, where it transitions into Route 138 at the end of the freeway.
The portion of Autoroute 40 from the Ontario border to Autoroute 25 is part of the Trans-Canada Highway. The Metropolitan Autoroute portion in Montreal is the busiest highway in Quebec, the busiest section of the Trans-Canada Highway, as well as the second busiest highway section overall in Canada after Highway 401 in Toronto.
History
Autoroute 40 (Autoroute Felix-Leclerc) in Quebec City
Two sections of Autoroute 40 were not part of the original plans: The original intention was to bypass Trois-Rivières to the north (the existing A-40 through downtown had been Autoroute 755 and the concurrency with Autoroute 55 would have been temporary). In addition, a different route was originally planned around Quebec City south of Jean Lesage International Airport (the existing 12km (7mi) segment of Autoroute 40 between Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures and Autoroute 73 would have been the western end of Autoroute 440, thus explaining the exit numbering starting at 12). While the right-of-ways of both bypasses still exist and may still be developed in the future as congestion increases, there are no immediate plans to renew construction.
A-40 eastbound near the interchange with A-73 in Quebec City
In 1997, the highway (apart from the portion served by the Metropolitan Autoroute) was renamed Autoroute Félix-Leclerc after the late Quebec artist and political activist Félix Leclerc.
Prior to 1997, Autoroute 40 east of Montreal had four different names, the first section was named Autoroute de la Rive-Nord (North Shore Autoroute) between Montréal and Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures (km 87 to 196, 209 to 296). A segment in Trois-Rivières east of Autoroute 55 that was named Autoroute de Francheville (Francheville Autoroute) (km 196 to 207). Between Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures and Autoroute 73 in Quebec City (km 296 to 307) it was called Autoroute Charest. Finally, between the junction of Autoroute 73 and Autoroute 573 and its eastern end at Route 138 it was known as Autoroute de la Capitale, a name that is still commonly used by Quebec City residents.
Direction to Autoroute 40/15 road signs photographed in Montreal
West end of A-73 concurrency; eastbound signed as exits 307-S (south) and 307-N (north), westbound signed as exits 139-O (west) and 139-E (east); A-73 exit139; A-440 exit4; exit numbers follow A-73
Food - Valentine, A&W, Tim Hortons and Couche Tard, tourist information, rest rooms. Esso (independent operated with using Esso-brand fuel), Electric charge stations. Parking for cars, RV and trucks.
Baie-de-Maskinongé
Halte du Maskinongé
Westbound
Closed around 2021-2022 with Portable toilets removed from site and entry roadway blocked. Located across from Eastbound service centre.
Vending machines, tourist information, rest rooms. Electric charging station. Les Rôtisseries Benny restaruant was closed after 2016 and now vacant area. Current rest area building was formerly Esso service station (with Marché Express) and Tim Hortons.
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Highway 417 / TCH at the Ontario border near Pointe-Fortune 
R-138 / R-368 in Quebec City
