HULL, Que. — What better way to fast-track a highway project than to strap it to a rocket — Maurice “the Rocket” Richard, that is.

After 30 years of frustration, waiting for an oft-promised highway, business leaders in Quebec’s Outaouais region feel they’ve hit on the key to finally getting the work under way. They now plan to name the proposed highway after the Canadiens’ legend.

A motion passed unanimously by the Outaouais Regional Development Council this week notes there is a major league link between the former superstar and the route. The much-needed highway, which would connect Hull to Lachute, north of Montreal, is known as Hwy. 50. And of course, says a spokesperson for the group, one of Richard’s most celebrated achievements was scoring 50 goals in 50 games.

“Obviously it is tied to the fact that we want work on Highway 50 to be accelerated,” says Pierre David, a development agent.

Hwy. 50 was supposed to link Ottawa-Hull and Mirabel airport, but so far work has not progressed farther than about 30 kilometres to the east of Hull.