James Bay Road

The James Bay Road was conceived as an access road for the hydroelectric projects developed in the James Bay region in the 1970s and onwards. Construction began in 1971 and was completed in October 1974. Gravel branch routes have since been built from the highway, including four roads west to Cree villages on or near James Bay (the one to Chisasibi is paved for most of the way). The Trans-Taiga Road () was built and reached Caniapiscau in 1979. The long Route du Nord (North Road), which also is not a numbered route, connects from km 275 (measured from Matagami) southeast to near Chibougamau, Quebec. ==Route Description==

There are no services and development along the James Bay Road except for a full-service station at from Matagami. The station, located at kilometre marker 381, is operational 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and is complete with a cafeteria and rudimentary lodging. Because of the remote nature of the road, there is a registration office along the side of the road for travellers to register. Located a few kilometers north of Matagami, it is staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and also serves as a tourist office for the communities along or off the James Bay Road. As further safety provisions, there are six roadside emergency telephones, which connect with staff in the registration office. ==Municipalities along Billy-Diamond Road==

• Matagami • Eeyou Istchee Baie-James ==Junction List==

Image:James_Bay_Road_Check_Point.jpg|The James Bay Road Check Point Image:To_Radisson_on_James_Bay_Road.jpg|Distances to each town, from the Check Point. Image:SOS_phone_station_on_the_James_Bay_Road.jpg|S.O.S. phone stations along the James Bay Road Image:James_Bay_Road_fuel_station.jpg|James Bay Road fuel station Image:James Bay Road Hazard.jpg|Road hazard ==See also==