What future for the right bank of the Rhône in Lyon? After a successful transformation of the left bank initiated by the ex-mayor Gérard Collomb, environmentalists want to attack by the end of this mandate on the other side of the river, on the Presqu’Ile side.

Too many cars, pollution, noise, lack of pedestrian areas, public transport, vegetation: the face of the right bank, yet strategic and bordered by important sites such as the Hôtel Dieu, must be transformed to restore air to this central area of ​​Lyon.

A first step taken: listening to the inhabitants

A first step was taken at the end of 2021 with the launch of a consultation aimed at residents. It has brought together several hundred proposals and ideas: “frescoes”, “collective gardens”, “shelters for animals”, “belvedere trees”, “swimming pool”…

Thursday February 24, 2022, the vice-president in charge of urban planning in Greater Lyon, Béatrice Vessiller, said a little more about it on the set of BFM Lyon where she was asked about the major projects of the mandate.

Massively reduce car space

One of the main objectives supposed by ecologists is to massively reduce the place of the car in this sector of Lyon. Both by calming the quays, but also by largely pedestrianizing the entire peninsula.

“On the pedestrianization, it is rather inside the Presqu’île, we do not want to pedestrianize the quays. On the other hand, reduce the space for the car, which is very demanding, yes. There are sometimes up to 10 traffic lanes, for example between the Quai du Dr Gailleton and the Gallieni bridge. There are noise and pollution nuisances. There is discomfort for pedestrians and cyclists”, justifies Béatrice Vessiller.

End of the Hôtel Dieu hopper and fewer lanes for cars

When the project was presented in 2021, the environmental president of the Métropole Bruno Bernard said more. “Our goal is to reduce car traffic, especially where there is strong public transport. It will be a question of transferring from the individual car to carpooling, to public transport or cycling. There are still a number of traffic lanes, which can be ”2X2” or and ”2 and 1” depending on the sections”.

The hopper in front of the Hôtel Dieu must disappear while the future of that under the De Lattre de Tassigny bridge is under discussion.

We are going to requalify these quays over 2.5 km to restore the quality of life here again for new uses: to make room for pedestrians, bicycles, vegetation and rediscover a link with the river. As much as the people of Greater Lyon appreciate public spaces on the left bank of the Rhône, but on the right bank they don’t want to walk around and look at the Rhône.

A tram or a bus on its own lane?

On the visual presented during the municipal campaign by environmentalists, a tram line was planned in the project between Part-Dieu and Bellecour.

During the campaign, environmentalists proposed this future line connected to T1 at Part-Dieu to better serve the Peninsula. The projected terminus is chosen at Place Antonin-Poncet near the A and D metros. The power supply operates from the ground to avoid overhead lines. Cost of the tram line alone: ​​30 million euros at least.

“We are going to give a place to public transport with the tram or not necessarily. We have discussions in progress”, simply says Béatrice Vessiller. But nothing is certain for the moment, the tram project could be doubled by bus lanes on its own site, a less expensive option.

“There were many proposals but also concerns about the future of the car” in the project, concedes the elected official who ensures that a new consultation is planned after the choice of architects announced for this year.

What face for the facilities?

On the other hand, for the face of future developments, it is still completely unclear.

The elected representative evokes possible terraces at the foot of the building, nautical activities in connection with the Rhône or even logistics activities to deliver businesses thanks to boats. Among the references of the Metropolis: the quays of the Loire in Nantes or even d

First works in 2025, budget of at least 100 million euros

The new face of the right bank is in any case not planned immediately. The first works should begin in 2025. A small section will be visible before the end of the mandate, announces Béatrice Vessiller.

But to finish the project, it would take several mandates warned Grégory Doucet and Bruno Bernard. For the cost of the project: 100 million euros, 30 of which are planned by the City and the Metropolis at the end of this mandate.

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