The Anne-de-Bretagne bridge seen from the Ile de Nantes.

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JS Evrard / Sipa

  • The objective of the project is to make a comfortable place for all modes of travel, in particular pedestrians.

  • Two of the three future tram lines will cross this bridge to connect to the rails of the Quai de la Fosse.

This is one of the major issues of the Metropolitan Council.

One of the most expensive projects of the mandate too.

The elected representatives of Nantes metropolis will have to vote this Friday on the announced transformation of the Anne-de-Bretagne bridge.

The objective is to widen and redesign this crossing of the Loire connecting the island of Nantes to the Quai de la Fosse in order to accommodate all modes of travel.

We are talking about bicycles and cars, of course, pedestrians, too cramped on the small sidewalks, but especially the tram.

Because two of the three future tram lines serving the new CHU will be connected to the rails of the Quai de la Fosse by 2026. And "the transformation of the Anne-de-Bretagne bridge appears to be an absolutely essential link", argues Nantes Métropole .

Traffic on the Anne-de-Bretagne bridge in Nantes.

- F. Brenon / 20Minutes

Concretely, the metropolitan executive wants a "nature bridge" (revegetation, eco-design, etc.), a "square bridge" (large scale, capable of hosting festive events) and a "pont-ligérien" (enhancing the presence of the river, integrating navigation issues).

This means that the current bridge will be flattened, endowed with an “exceptional dimension” and completely rebuilt on itself.

All with the idea of ​​not interrupting traffic during the works.

An international consultation will be launched to choose the designer.

But the bill is already looking particularly high: 50 million euros at least.

What make the opposition jump.

“This project will cost almost as much as the Senghor and Tabarly bridges combined.

It will not solve any mobility problem for this too often congested sector.

In addition, we want to pour concrete to create a "square bridge" while we have a huge esplanade right next to the Machines.

It's nonsense, ”annoys Julien Bainvel, metropolitan councilor (LR).

Like other residents, he would have preferred a new structure "for the tramway and soft mobility" near the Banana Hangar, at the western tip of the island.

“We would benefit from an additional crossing while keeping Anne-de-Bretagne.

But the majority has made another choice and clings to it, ”laments Julien Bainvel.

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  • Bridge

  • Tram

  • Nantes