• The Great Western Bypass of Strasbourg is almost completed.

    The 24 km motorway could accommodate traffic in December… except that it is not allowed to do so for the moment.

  • A court ruling is due today and could authorize commissioning.

  • In the meantime, Vinci and its subsidiary Arcos, the manufacturer-concessionaire, are organizing various events to promote this GCO.

    Opponents denounce greenwashing operations.

More than 1,500 collector's vehicles last Sunday.

Pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, rollerblades expected this weekend ... The 24 kilometers of the Grand Bypass West (GCO) of Strasbourg, this sensible freeway to unblock the A35 which crosses the Alsatian capital, are almost finished and its operator is keen to do so know.

"We often hold open houses intended for the general public before the route openings", explains Jean-Luc Fournier, the project communication director of Vinci Autoroutes, in charge of the project via its subsidiary Arcos.

“In my career, it must be my third or fourth.

"Except that this time, the context is particular: the commissioning of this so contested section is still not authorized.

Last July, the Strasbourg administrative court demanded additional studies and a new public inquiry.

Clearly, the state had ten months to draft new decrees and regularize the situation.

Where are we today?

Part of the answer should play out these days.

This Wednesday, a hearing is scheduled before the Nancy Court of Appeal.

The manufacturer-concessionaire requested it in order to "decorrelate the additional studies from the date of commissioning", says Fournier.

Compensatory measures scrutinized

"The decision should be put under advisement for a few hours or a few days", explains Stéphane Giraud, director of Alsace Nature.

“Then the judge will say if the GCO can open, or not, as soon as the work is finished.

If this is the case, we can always appeal in cassation.

"

The association, which has fought against this GCO from the start, intends to continue its fight to the end.

No more to avoid the work, which lasted three years and now boils down to finishes, but to obtain the maximum possible compensation.

“They will have to keep their promises on the measures announced because we will be present for decades to come.

"

"We have set up passages for wildlife, recreated wetlands, bought 80 hectares of forest and we compensate farmers so that they plant crops favorable to the hamster of Alsace", enumerates Jean-Luc for his part. Fournier by ensuring that his company will keep its commitments.

At least for the duration of the concession granted by the State, i.e. until 2070.

By then, some cars, and especially trucks, should have taken these famous 24 km. Between 22,000 and 34,000 vehicles are expected there per day, according to the three sections, including a free one two kilometers to the south. For the other two, the price is not yet known. “The median prices are around 3.70 euros for a light vehicle and 9 euros for a class 4 heavy vehicle. And it will be more expensive at rush hour,” further details the representative of Vinci, still in full preparation for the famous open days this weekend. Entitled "The highway is yours".

"For a paid section, it was necessary to dare", squeals the director of Alsace Nature, denouncing "an operation of seduction to make the judge believe that all of Strasbourg claims its attachment to the GCO".

Other associations, with the collective "GCO No Merci" called for a boycott of the event.

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