Vt. officials: Major Canada project will help economy
Quebec officials have kicked off the latest phase of a major highway project, which Vermont Gov. Phil Scott called an “economic boon” for both sides of the border.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Transport Quebec (MTQ) broke ground on the third segment of construction of Autoroute 35 (A-35), which will connect the Highgate Springs crossing of U.S.-Canadian border directly to Montreal. Officials say this project will save Montreal-bound travelers an estimated 30 to 40 minutes of driving time from the border. Quebec is one of Vermont’s largest trading partners and makes up the state’s highest percentage of international tourism.
“The completion of the A-35 will be an economic boon to both Vermont and Quebec, reducing travel time, providing a more direct route, and encouraging more opportunities for business and recreation on both sides of the border,” Scott said in a statement. “We look forward to its completion and returning to a time where we can be better connected to our neighbors to the north.”
The completion of A-35 from Montreal to the U.S. border at Highgate Springs is a major construction project for the MTQ, which will provide Vermont and other northeastern states with a four-lane limited-access highway, connecting Montreal to Boston via Vermont’s I-89 corridor.
“We’ll soon be one step closer to the long-awaited completion of a full interstate highway system that stretches from Boston to Montreal and provides for a nearly seamless travel option for passengers and commerce,” said Vermont Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn.
The four-segment project is slated for completion in 2025. Segment 3 of A-35 stretches 5.6 miles from Route 133 in Saint-Sebastien south to Saint-Armand. Segment 4 is the final 2.8 miles that will connect south to the U.S-Canadian border.
Canada’s travel restrictions are likely to remain in place for some time, but in the post-COVID era, this project’s completion will add much-needed positive, economic impact that will be felt throughout the region for years to come. In the shorter term, the project sustains jobs. That’s good news, all the way around.
— Gareth Henderson
