After the Departmental Council, the Regional Prefecture and the Regional Council decided to halve their financial contributions for carrying out environmental studies and the first land acquisitions used for the western bypass of Nîmes.
The financial partners are not really rushing to the gate for the western bypass of Nîmes… This summer, Nîmes Métropole learned that the participation of the Departmental Council had fallen from 27.5% to 15%. During the last steering committee, the LR president of Nîmes Métropole, Franck Proust, learned that the regional prefecture and the Regional Council had agreed to halve their participation in investments. The latter thus go from €6 million to €3 million for environmental studies and the first land acquisitions.
This disengagement is poorly received at the Agglo: “ We walk on our heads. Gard is on the borders of the Occitanie region, but it is also at the head of the administration! », castigates Franck Proust, dissatisfied. During the last community council, Nîmes Métropole submitted its opinion to the public inquiry concerning the mobility component of the State-Region Plan Contract, which includes the western bypass of Nîmes. “ This means that the project would almost come to a halt. What is not admissible », Launched Jean-Marc Campello, vice-president in charge of transport.
-In its contribution, Nîmes Métropole requests that the €6 million be maintained and wishes to obtain, “ as soon as possible », environmental authorizations. The Agglo is also asking that the land acquisitions, essential for the realization of the project, be carried out quickly, targeting the southern part of the project, which should be carried out by Vinci. Franck Proust insists: “ There are traffic jams morning, noon and evening below the hospital! This project is from Arles, how many years have we been waiting? At least we know that the bar will be done since the State is not putting a hole in it! »
At the same time, the Agglo is asking that the relocation of the Saint-Césaire station be included in the State-Region Plan Contract. “ For the moment, it is registered as part of the Serm (Metropolitan Regional Express Service), but that is not enough. Its move to the heart of the urban projects of Marché station and Porte Ouest allows the creation of a real hub of exchange, promoting the use of the train on a daily basis. », recalls Jean-Marc Campello. And to add: “ The potential of this station has been estimated at between 50,000 and 70,000 passengers by 2035 (compared to 15,000 today) for an estimated cost of €17 million. »
