N138 renamed !

[Saabyfox]

Am staying with my father about 150 miles south west of Le Mans this week. Thought i would come off the A28 just before Alencon and drive down the N138 for a few miles to get in the mood for June, and almost got lost through Gace, seems that they have renamed large chunks of the N138 and its now called (and randomly signposted) the N438.

A28 around Alencon is also in very poor condition- looks like they are repairing a 10 mile chunk of it soon ( top surface scored deliberately).

[cooperlola]

Nearly but not quite. It will be the D338. The departments have taken over the maintenance of some roads. Expect many "Routes Nationales" to be similarly renamed - the N changes to a D and the 1 becomes a 3.

[chrisbr68]

It will always be the N138 in my head.

Last year it was pretty dead on it compared to in the past. The journey time can be cut dramatically by taking the new road it seems. I could take the new road back, but never down, unless I was in a real hurry!

Come on the Le mans!!

[cooperlola]

If you are in a hurry but still want the N138 atmosphere, there is a new exit near Mamers, which means that you can come along most of the motorway, but still approach the city by the traditional route.

[lynxd67]

I live at Mulsanne and the N138 became a D road because the new autoroute is now open from Le Mans to Tours and all hevy goods are by law obliged to take this road. The new A88 will be open in 2010 and then the N158 at Argentan will become a D road too. However, it will be all dual carriageway from Le Mans to Caen and of course as far up as calais with the A28 to Rouen open. The reasoning behind the downgrading is of course financial. The RN's are maintained by the state but the RD's by the department.