“I am 61 years old and I think I can say that I had never known this Verdun crossroads without its enormous gantries (Editor’s note those which maintained the traffic lights of the large interchange in the Montade district).” These words are those of Pierre Mathonier, mayor of Aurillac, in a hurry to see the disappearance of these large metal structures which both hindered visibility, which were reaching the end of their life, affected by corrosion and whose principle of “turn left” face-to-face no longer meets new urban traffic standards.
As the municipality committed to years ago, as the road and/or traffic plan is repaired, thethe red lights disappear. “If we reinstalled all the lights on Avenue de la République, I can imagine the screams,” notes the mayor, who knows that each change begins with a phase of doubt, even discontent expressed by the user, before delivering his approval(1).
26,000 vehicles/day
After Aurinques, Milhaud, Marty… this time it is the busiest intersection in the city which has a roundabout: 26,000 vehicles per day use it. In the end, fluidity wins. On the Verdun roundabout, in service for a few months alreadyit is indisputable and all the guests at the inauguration, Monday October 7, agreed.
Bruno Faure, president of the Departmental Council, like the prefect Buchaillat (which we can assume was one of his last public appearances before taking office in Tarn) also underlined the benefits of the security aspect , particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as the aesthetic aspect with a clear view in an area of Ponetia where the abundant advertising panels installed in an anarchic manner have already all disappeared.
Enough to contribute to a more pleasant living environment for local residents who also expressed their satisfaction with the new developments.
(1) Lowering the speed, made more uniform, reduces traffic jams and slowdowns, promotes fluidity by reducing sudden braking, allowing less chaotic traffic, thus improving overall traffic efficiency.
Rainwater treatment
Throughout the great South-West, Cantal would be a pioneer in terms of… Giep. Behind this acronym of Integrated Rainwater Management lies a fairly simple notion, recalled by Valérie Perrier, assistant to the territorial director of the Adour-Garonne Water Agency who made the special trip from Brive to inaugurate the roundabout from Verdun to Aurillac: “We must infiltrate the drop of water as much as possible where it will fall.” Not so obvious in urban space, but by limiting the pipes that flow into the watercourse, we avoid overflows and disasters. After the oasis courtyard of the Tivoli school and all of its draining-absorbent soils, Aurillac once again sets a good example with the new roundabout: 10,000 m2 have been reprocessed with mainly greenery, valleys, mulch …
