the development project of the rue de Metz finally unveiled
The Toulouse town hall has unveiled the final development project for rue de Metz. Vegetation, cycle paths, vehicle access: we take stock.
In Toulouse, part of rue de Metz will be redeveloped, from boulevard Carnot to rue d’Alsace-Lorraine. As a whole, this artery of the city connects the Monument aux Morts to the Pont Neuf, passing through the Place Esquirol.
Last January, the Toulouse town hall started from an observation. Or rather, many: sidewalks that are too narrow, heavy traffic (7,000 vehicles per day), no bike path for the 370 cyclists who use the street during rush hour. But also, a very low presence of plants. So, a major citizen consultation was launched to imagine the redevelopment of the track. Over 300 people attended. Here is the final project.
A two-way cycle path
A two-way cycle path, three meters wide, will be installed in the rue de Metz. It will make it possible to make the connection between the right bank and the left bank of the Garonne. It will be materialized by a marking on the ground, with symbols to indicate the directions of movement. There will also be a color difference between the track, lane and sidewalks. Circular nails will be put in place to separate the bikes from the vehicles.
Greening of public space
Initially, two scenarios were proposed for planting trees. The first: the installers on both sides of the street. The second: a linear plantation on one side of the road. Following a consultation with the inhabitants, it is finally the second proposal which was retained.
The green space of more than two meters wide will be installed between the road and the sidewalk. It will include 36 oaks and magnolias, then Mediterranean shrubs at their feet. The trees will be separated by eight meters each so as not to generalize the intervention of firefighters in the event of an emergency. On the forecourt of the Musée des Augustins, 11 oaks, lime trees and hackberry trees will also be planted, in addition to the trees already present.
Traffic restriction
Access to rue de Metz will be closed to traffic. Only residents, sales staff and delivery people can pass. There will no longer be a Tisséo bus. Only an electric shuttle will be authorized to circulate. Motorists can enter the district via rue Bertrand de l’Isle, rue Croix-Baragnon, rue du Canard, rue Théodore Ozenne and main rue Nazareth.
According to the City of Toulouse, “the requalification of rue de Metz will make it possible to emit 630 tonnes of CO2 less per year”. In addition, the bitumen will be replaced by a pavement coating, like that of the Place Saint-Sernin.
Development of streets around rue de Metz
All around rue de Metz, other roads may also benefit from redevelopment. This is the case with rue Croix-Baragnon, where the objective is to reduce car traffic by five. For this, as in the rue de Metz, terminals must be installed at each entrance. The rest of the plan must be discussed during a public meeting with local residents organized on Monday, December 13. The redevelopment of rue Boulbonne will also be discussed.
Network work should begin in 2022 according to the schedule announced by the Town Hall. The development works, they will not start until 2023 with an end scheduled in 2024.