Route
It passes the towns of Aix-en-Provence, Pertuis, Manosque, Sisteron and then Digne and Tallard. In the Department de Isère, it passes Monestier-de-Clermont, Vif and Varces-Allières-et-Risset. The motorway provides access to the south-western Alps for the residents of the south of France. It also provides access to Cadarache.
Its main section connects Marseille to Aix-en-Provence and Durance valley to the north of Sisteron (Saulce). Only 18 km is toll free between Marseilles and Aix-en-Provence, the remaining 128 km is a toll road operated by Escota between Aix-en-Provence and Saulce. At Aix-en-Provence, the autoroute becomes briefly the N296 dual-carriageway between the exits Jas-de-Boufan and Aix-les-Platanes. This section where it meets the N7 was originally proposed to be an autoroute but building has subsequently compromised the route. There is a speed limit of 50 km/h on part of the N296.
A section at the Grenoble end, Varces to Coynelle (17 km), was opened in July 1999. This was extended in March 2007 when the next section, connecting Coynelle to the Col du Fau (10.5 km), was opened in March 2007. This includes 4.5 km which is a single carriageway through the Tunnel of Sinard and over the Viaduct de Monestier. This northern section is also a toll road but it is operated by AREA. This has greatly reduced the summer congestion through the commune of Monestier.
Read more about this topic: A51 Autoroute
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