What is the project manager hiding?

See my news
Follow 78actu

“It’s a project that we’ve been hearing about for more than twenty years,” says, slightly disillusioned, a resident not far from the Old Poissy Bridge (Yvelines). While the building permit was officially issued in March 2023, the completion of the pedestrian and cyclist bridge which should link Poissy and Carrières-sous-Poissy above the floundering Seine.

A year and two months later, no work has started, even though according to the town planning code, the building permit expires after three years.

The project manager remains silent

The footbridge, supported by the SMSO (Seine Ouest Mixed Union), in conjunction with Epamsa (Public Development Establishment of Mantois Seine Aval), must be an alternative means to the road bridge for the crossing the Seine.

Its budget, initially estimated at €13 million, now amounts to 19,9 M€ excluding taxes. Contacted by 78 actu on several occasions, the SMSO remained without response to our requests. In March 2023, its president, Daniel Level, cautiously announced that work would start in early 2024. This will not be, at a minimum, before 2025 from now on.

Protected species?

A person familiar with the matter indicates that divers from a environmental association explored the feet of the remains of the bridge and that certain species would be protected there. What further delays the project?

“We had discussions with the architect of Bâtiments de France. It was necessary not to cling to the piers of the old bridge, but also not to hinder the evolution of nature around the piles, especially the fish,” explained the president of the SMSO in March 2023.

Traders are waiting for it

However, this gateway, 305 m de long and 15 m high, would be useful in more than one way. Residents of Carrières-sous-Poissy could get to Poissy station more quickly, more easily and in a more environmentally friendly way. The people of Pisciac could benefit, among other things, from the Peuple de l’Herbe park more easily in the neighboring town.

Nearby businesses are also waiting for it. “For me, that would be great. We would be the first bar after the footbridgeexplains Eva Fernandes, manager of Posto 6, rue de la gare. And that would provide direct access, because people arriving by bus are on the other side of the sidewalk and do not pass in front of the bar. In addition, there is no comfortable pedestrian crossing to cross. »

It is the same for the hairdressers from the Barber shop at the station.

“This project is one of the reasons why we bought here four years ago. It can bring us from the world of Careers. Things had progressed well before covid, but nothing since. We don’t know where it is. »

“Zero communication”

In the small path of the Cour du 14-July, the Renauds, managers of Eos, the well-being center, remain cautious about the construction of the footbridge. “We had zero communication. We learned about this project ourselves. But this kind of project, the longer it takes, the more it risks cost even more. For us, that would be good news. It could be a benefit in the same way as Tram 13.”

“Here, we have a lot of traffic to reach the A13, but taking the telephone number on the front while driving is not very practical. Taking it away from the car and bringing in more pedestrians would be good. »

What about the deal point?

Another trader fears, however, that drug trafficking, which is very established at the Old Bridge, will develop. “I hope there will be grids from a certain time and that it will be monitored,” we explain. “I think that, on the contrary, it could slow him down,” says another interlocutor? The police know very well what is happening here from May onwards. »

In municipal council, Wednesday December 11, 2024, the City of Carrières-sous-Poissy renewed its support to the footbridge project as part of a deliberation on the mobility plan of the Île-de-France Region.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.