The pedestrianization of the Iéna bridge in Paris should not cause traffic congestion, according to the town hall

Restricting traffic on this bridge to only buses, bicycles and emergency vehicles will cause a "slight increase" in traffic on neighboring bridges, "mainly the Alma and Bir-Hakeim bridges", and "some increases traffic" in two avenues in the neighborhood, the town hall told the press, which said it had sent its traffic study to the police headquarters.

But these postponements are of "lesser" importance than the reduction, of the order of 15%, in traffic on Place du Trocadéro, which the town hall wants to completely pedestrianize on its southern half to "free it from intense automobile traffic" , recalled the PS mayor, Anne Hidalgo, during a press briefing.

As for the emergency vehicles, which will be able to use the Iéna bridge, they will benefit from “increased fluidity of travel times”, assured his first deputy, Emmanuel Grégoire.

With this study, Ms. Hidalgo wants to convince the State to give her the green light on this project, initiated during the previous mandate and revised downwards since, without the southern part around the Eiffel Tower.

“We have reviewed the copy several times and I am even ready (…) to review the adaptations,” said Anne Hidalgo, who wants to benefit, like Place de la Concorde, from the Olympic Games – during which these areas will be closed to visitors. circulation - to consolidate its projects, and start the work immediately.

In May 2022, the previous prefect Didier Lallement vetoed the “One” project, fearing “significant traffic delays” and “detentions” likely to hamper relief efforts.

In February, during the last Paris Council, his successor Laurent Nuñez said he had "still questions" about the project, particularly on this point.

Compared to the initial project, with a budget of 116 million euros, the municipality's new copy, which therefore only concerns the right bank, should cost half as much and the project will last "a year to a year and a half" , specified Emmanuel Grégoire.

According to the new project, pedestrians will circulate on a large central part of the Iéna bridge, a space separated from the two traffic lanes by rows of trees in containers.