Place Arago, in Toulouse, traffic is still heavy, at the great dam of residents
Marengo district, the works of the third metro line have recorded a report of traffic to adjacent streets in recent months. The renovations have been completed a few weeks ago, but traffic remains heavy. Local residents are mobilizing to “change things”.
Last spring, Linda Terrier, a resident of the Marengo district, was worried about the increasing number of cars circulating in her district since the start of work on the 3rd metro line. In addition, due to a lack of signage, many drivers did not comply with the regulations and were driving too fast. Since the end of the work five weeks ago, and some improvements, traffic has certainly decreased, but it remains important.
For Toulousaine, the increase in flow would not necessarily be linked to the works. “The redevelopment of Place Arago before the works created a straight line that did not exist before. Before this redevelopment, the square was a very impractical roundabout, which greatly slowed down cars and, as a direct consequence, limited the number: motorists had no interest in taking the rue Champs Élysées to go further. quick. “
Determined to make a difference, Linda distributed a questionnaire to the mailboxes of 260 homes in the neighborhood. “I received 35% of responses, which is huge. Everyone feels that adjustments have to be made because it has become hellish. ”Among the solutions proposed by residents, the installation of speed bumps, speed cameras or the closure of Place Arago, are the most cited.
A traffic study in progress
Souhayla Marty, mayor of the district, is well aware that traffic remains important. For her, this is not linked to the development of the square, but “to the traffic flow generated by the work on the third metro line”. According to the elected official, operators like Waze and TomTom also have a share of the responsibility since they direct motorists to these routes.
Faced with this observation, the Toulouse town hall indicates that it is working on several axes, and in particular “a study of traffic before and after the works”. The conclusions will be released in early February at a public meeting. Work with driver assistance applications is also in progress.