On this busy Loire-Atlantique road, a 10 km cycle path is taking shape

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Paris was not built in a day, nor was the development of the roads. And on the side of RD 773axis between Pontchâteau (Loire-Atlantique) and Redon (Ille-et-Vilaine), it is in two stages that security is (re)thought up to Sévérac. First step #1: road development strictly speaking, by that, mean the lanes intended for cars and heavy goods vehicles. This is how the first projects financed by the Department began.

Improve the existing

By abandoning the execution of certain road construction projects due to our objective of zero net artificialization (Zan), we are committed to improving the safety of existing roads. This approach has been underway in this territory since 2022.

2 million euros to secure the road

And to list chronologically the achievements undertaken to date: in 2022, the La Grivolais roundabout (€650,000) in Pontchâteau, the securing of the intersection at Bonne-Miette with a CVCB (unmarked central lane roadway) and the illuminated pedestrian crossing at La Normandais (€55,000) in Sévérac; in 2023, the left turn at La Noë/Cathelinais (€350,000) in Pontchâteau, the siding at La Croix des Riaux (€35,000) in Saint-Gildas-des-Bois.

And in 2024, the upgrade of the left turn at La Noë-Blanche (€25,000) and a roundabout at Bonne-Miette/La Normandais (€550,000) in Sévérac.

It remains to complete the securing of a left-hand turn at the Moulin de Bilais (€350,000) in Drefféac, delivery of which is scheduled for November.

For the whole, a cost of just over 2 million euros.

Behaviors to change

The only downside raised by Jean-François Legrand was the crossing of the town of Saint-Gildas by heavy goods vehicles, because only 1 km was diverted.

Road safety has a cost and users often contact us.

A reflection which leads to another for the departmental “mobility” gentleman.

And if improvements need to be made, behavior on the road must also change.

A 10 km secure cycle path

With 8,859 vehicles/daycet axis is very busy, particularly for home/commute journeys.

Enough to open the other subject: that of secure cycle lane project.

This is the other part of the protocol that the territory’s elected officials signed with the Department for a period of 5 years.

On the table, another 2 million euros to build, by 2028, 10 km of track with a high level of service (separate from the road) between Pontchâteau and Saint-Gildas-des-Bois.

A utilitarian route, as direct as possible which has the advantage of connecting to the Pontchâteau, Drefféac and Saint-Gildas stations.

Preserving rail lines is a fight. And this is completed with the car and the bicycle. Traffic on RD 773 also has impacts on other RDs such as RD 2. But we also need these roads to serve our businesses. They have an economic role.

Public consultation in 2025

Of all the Department’s skills, road development is one of the most intensive in terms of consumption of ground space. The choice was made to use the right-of-way of the road, the width being considered sufficient to create cycle paths separated from vehicles.

The project, the study of which is currently underway, will give rise to a public consultation in 2025, with different variations.

Nothing will be effective before 2028, until the fauna-flora inventory is carried out, for example.

But the advantage is that we have the land. This project is included in the 174 connections on which the Departmental Council is committed.

The objective is to achieve the creation of 3,700 km of cycle paths between municipalities: 1,400 are planned for the Department which will support the creation of 2,300 km by intermunicipalities.

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