An autoroute (the Quebec equivalent of an interstate) is being built between Montreal to the American border at Highgate Springs, north of Saint Albans.
The route parallels the Canadian National Railroad that links to the north end of the New England Central Railroad, providing an increase in competition to the railroad.
Currently 80% of the exports of Quebec travel to the US via truck, while only 46% of Canadian exports as a whole are trucked.
The new route will save 15 minutes to Montreal and provide a bypass to the current two lane route. An additional highway is under construction that will bypass Montreal, making highway trips to Ottawa and Toronto easier. It is projected highway traffic crossing the border will increase from the current 3,000 a day to 7,000.
The state of Vermont has been working to restore intercity passenger train service to Montral on this route.
The rail link north of Saint Albans is as slow as 10 mph.
53% of traffic crossing the border at Highgate Springs is bound for Montreal. In the other direction, 46% of the crossings are bound for Vermont, while 24% are bound to Massachusetts. In contrast, 40% of truck crossings are bound for Massachusetts and only a small amount stop in Vermont.
The 23.5 mile new highway will cost $460 million (which compares to $70 million just invested in the 150 miles of New England Central Railroad in Vermont).
