On February 25, an impressive cavity opened under rue de Vesoul, in Besançon (Doubs), requiring the implementation of diversions. After complex work for more than four months, this route used by many motorists will be usable again this June 28, during the afternoon.
This is the conclusion (we hope) of a saga that was starting to date. This Friday, June 28, marks a small event in Besançon (Doubs), with the reopening to traffic of the rue de Vesoul. In the middle of the afternoon, the axis will officially reopen “to all vehicles from 4 p.m.” explained the Doubs department in a press release.
In details, “the latest wearing course work“were carried out last night, while”Grand Besançon Métropole finalizes road marking work and removal of diversion devices“This morning. In addition to the two-way traffic lanes already in place, the authorities took advantage of the work to create a cycle path,”from the RN 57 roundabout to the crossroads adjoining the road repair“, over approximately 800 m.
As a reminder, 124 days ago, a major collapse affected this portion of the RD 572, precisely on Sunday February 25, in the morning, opposite the Avia station. Luckily, no cars were passing by at the time.
According to initial findings by the Besançon city services, the incident was caused by the rupture of an underground pipe. The water leak, which was very significant, dug into the basement, then destroyed the road surface and the sidewalk.
A major collapse occurred on February 25 on the roadway of Rue de Vesoul in Besançon.
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© Jean Stéphane Maurice – France Télévisions
After the shock came the time for analysis. Rue de Vesoul had suffered from its karst soil (karst being a limestone massif in which water has dug numerous cavities). “We are on 10, 12 meters, we see a start of galleries” then testified Pascal Reilé, hydrogeologist present on the scene.
While diversions had been taken in order to find a fallback solution for the approximately 10,000 motorists who used Rue de Vesoul every day, the fragility of the ground caused a second, smaller collapse a few days later.
For more than four months, rehabilitation and reconstruction work took place. Their duration, which some considered significant, can be explained by the increased vigilance required in this sector, in particular because the axis concentrated a significant part of the telecommunications of the Bisontine area.
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In its latest press release, the Doubs department wanted to thank “all users and local residents for their patience and understanding during the works.”
Some motorists and traders have denounced the impact of the diversions on their daily lives. Today they can consider themselves relieved. Unlike some of the local residents who, without traffic, had begun to appreciate a new calm.
