A-70 is only partially completed; it acts primarily as a bypass route around the urban area of Saguenay.

The route was slow to develop; until 2001 it was an extremely short stub, fewer than 6 km (3.7 mi) long.

The A-70 was designed to provide a limited-access highway link between Alma and La Baie.

To date, approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) of highway remain to be completed of the ultimate freeway link between Alma and La Baie.

Transports Québec has conducted a feasibility study for the western section while continuing to acquire property to provide a right of way.