While no work is planned there, this Albi bridge is closed to traffic for several months

It is a truly unique bridge. A bleach (Tarn), it offers a magnificent view of Sainte-Cécile Cathedral. And it doesn’t span the Tarn. Above all, it is closed for the summer. And it has nothing to do with work…

In rue du Castelviel, it overlooks a car park and crosses another bridge, the railway viaduct.

Until September 16

But he is not under construction either. So what’s going on? Why this summer, like last summer, will the bridge leading to Place du Foirail be closed to car traffic? “Only pedestrians and bicycles can circulate there and this in both directions of traffic”, specifies the City. And this until September 16.

This is the reason for this closure. The city, “for security reasons”reserves its use for cyclists and pedestrians. Because in summer, in Albi, there are a lot of tourists. And in this sector of the city, there may soon be even more with the upcoming construction of a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Tarn. Access to which will be… at the end of the Republic Bridge!

Some would even like it to be permanent

While some users complain about the closure, many approve of the approach. On Facebook, local residents say, for example, that they are relieved to “be able to sleep peacefully at night and open the windows during the day!” », rejoices Christine Geslain. Before adding that she regrets that it will only be for three months…

“Good decision, which should continue throughout the year. Cars can easily bypass the station and Castelviel,” Florian Klms also believes. “Too bad it won’t last. THE “detour” via Boulevard Salengro and Rue Renaudin is frankly not that long,” also judges Nicolas Kowalewski.

Some even wish that Place Sainte-Cécile, not far from the bridge, would also be closed during the tourist season. “Otherwise there will be someone dead one day,” warns Marc Ferrand.

One way for cars the rest of the year

The Republic Bridge had already experienced several closures in the recent past. Firstly because of the work on the famous future footbridge (which was to be installed much earlier) and then to renovate its roadway. Paved sidewalks had then been developed. After this work, automobile traffic had reopened, but only in the cathedral/place du Foirail direction. And therefore outside the summer period.

Moreover, pedestrians remain priority as part of the establishment of a meeting zone limited to 20 km/h. And the circulation of cycles is authorized in both directions.

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