It still doesn't work! The metal barrier which has prevented access to the Citroën-Cévennes tunnel (in the south-north direction) since the beginning of October has still not been reopened. The thousands of motorists who use this 400 m long work of art located under the André-Citroën park (in the 15th century), to enter Paris from the ring road towards the Eiffel Tower, had discovered the surprise blockage, October 12 in the morning.
No construction site announced in the sector, no information panel to explain the reasons for the closure, nor even any trace of damage in the “tube” concerned… The unexpected traffic restriction had surprised those familiar with the sector, some fearing that it is linked to a new strike by agents of the city of Paris responsible for monitoring engineering structures like the one which had already led to a closure of the Citroën tunnel (in both directions) in May 2024.
“This time, it is not a question of the consequences of a strike,” we correct at the 15th century town hall, recalling that the new closure of the tunnel is due to the application of the precautionary principle. Since the terrible fire in the Mont-Blanc tunnel, which cost the lives of 39 people in 1999, all tunnels over 300 meters long (there are 11 in Paris, including 7 on the ring road), must meet standards very strict security. The structures must in particular be under constant video surveillance and their users must be able to have access to permanently operational emergency call terminals.
This is therefore no longer the case in one of the two tubes of the Citroën tunnel where an RATP bus damaged a cabinet containing security elements, on the night of October 11 to 12. Even if the structures of the tunnel, which remains completely passable, were not affected, it had to be closed for “regulatory” reasons. Problem: the external service provider tasked by the city of Paris with reinstalling the broken safety equipment did not have the parts in stock.
“They should be available soon. Their return to service and the reopening of the tunnel could take place during the week of November 11 to 17″, we hope at the 15th century town hall where we have not failed to denounce the slowness of the repairs which depend on the central town hall. Contacted, city hall did not confirm this schedule. Some good news, however: information signs explaining the closure for “maintenance” should finally appear at the entrance to the tunnel.
