Long-awaited, this Haute-Loire expressway is finally open to traffic

This Wednesday, November 6 was an expected date for users of the RN 102 between the A75 and Brioude: that of the partial opening of the expressway connecting the A75.

Users of the RN 102 between the A75 and Brioude entered their vehicle into a new world this Wednesday, November 6 in the morning. After decades of waiting, they were able to benefit from the partial commissioning of the new section of the expressway.

A symbolic step in a project seriously discussed in the 1990s to finally launch, on the ground, on January 6, 2020 with the start of the preparation period for the work on the Leuge viaduct and structures 4 and 6, as well as the reinstatements of RD17 and VC13.

Largelier crossing

Since almost now “ex RN102”, motorists, truckers and all other users have seen the work progress. Tons and tons of earth and stones will be removed and then moved to other areas of the route. A path which gradually appeared across the landscape.

The total cost of the project to create the dual carriageway between the A75 and Cohade is ultimately estimated at 86.5 million euros. That is almost 26.4 million more than the originally planned cost (60.1 million). A difference covered entirely by the State.

This Wednesday, however, it was only a new stage before the end of the project, scheduled for the beginning of 2025. A major stage nonetheless since, in the A75-Brioude direction, the vehicles

leaving the motorway or arriving from Lempdes-sur-Allagnon can take the dual carriageway from the Lempdes interchange to leave it at the Intermarché roundabout, in Largelier. A ray of sunshine for all those accustomed to sinking into the gray when they found themselves following agricultural machinery between Arvant and Les Combes…

On the other hand, in the Brioude-A75 direction, users navigate between past and future. Indeed, so that the work to definitively connect the new 2×2 lanes to the Largelier deviation can be carried out without risk, traffic is prohibited in this direction on the Largelier deviation, for a period of approximately 4 months. Vehicles must therefore cross the Cohade activity zone (former historic route of the RN102) to reach the new expressway.

In Brioude, new developments to allow pedestrians, bicycles and cars to coexist Until full commissioning, several projects must still be carried out, starting with one of the most imposing: the completion of the Arvant interchange and the reestablishment of the RD17. Located below the historic RN102, it will allow you to enter and exit the detour, but also to go towards the Mining Basin via the RD17. For the moment, the topography does not allow this interchange to be connected with all the main roads.

Around 30,000 m3 of earth must therefore be moved in the coming months to resolve this problem. The Cohade interchange must also be completed, with the connection of the 2×2 lanes to the Largelier diversion.

End of construction in early 2025
Furthermore, the tarmac ramp allowing access to the wildlife crossing located at Bard from the RN102 will be destroyed. And the bridge will take on its primary role: being intended only for animals and agricultural machinery.
Once the full commissioning of the 2×2 lane is effective, at the beginning of 2025, things will not be finished. There will still be finishing touches and especially plantings. There is no question here of beds of roses or rhododendrons on roundabouts, but of bordering the current section, wherever possible, with hedges. With particular attention paid to the wildlife passage, which should make it possible to guide the animals.