Above the Petite Creuse, the bridge which connects Boussac-Bourg to Saint-Silvain-Bas-le-Roc will be closed to all traffic, even pedestrians, from Wednesday October 23.
The bridge which allows you to cross the Petite Creuse at a place called Les Roudières was built in 1937 in reinforced concrete at the initiative of Doctor Gaumet. This bridge, which supports a municipal road, has for decades become the concern of the mayors of Boussac-Bourg and Saint-Silvain-Bas-le-Roc. The river limits the municipalities and for many people, the bridge shortens many journeys.
It was not subject to much maintenance and cracks appeared in the 1980s. Tests were carried out, benchmarks laid down… The price of the work was high and the two municipalities were in trouble. impossibility of financing them.
An alarming state of affairs
This bridge, 75 meters long and 7.40 meters wide, has seen a good number of vehicles pass over it since its construction. Times have changed, and so have vehicles… so much so that around twenty years ago, their weight was limited to 1.5 tonnes and their height to 1.70 m.
In 2022, a national program launched by the State allows municipalities to have their bridges checked free of charge. The mayors of the two municipalities – Hervé Grimaud for Boussac-Bourg and Patrick Franchaisse for Saint-Silvain – are participating. The result being bad, the mayors decided to have the bridge inspected at the expense of both municipalities. Last July, the result came out: “The condition of the bridge is considered worrying, with structural defects requiring immediate safety. These defects affect the deck as well as the guardrails or the structure.”
At least 1.5 million euros of work
The design office estimated possible repairs, but not lasting over time, at between 1.5 and 3.5 million euros. For reconstruction after demolition it takes 6 million. A sum impossible to mobilize for these two small towns.
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The mayors being responsible for everything that could happen, the decision was made to close the Pont des Roudières to all traffic, even pedestrians, from October 23. Specific signage will be put in place and the bridge will be completely blocked with concrete blocks and fencing.
