Local elections 2026: FRTP Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes calls for infrastructure maintenance to be an absolute priority for the next term

In the final stretch of the 2026 Municipal elections campaign, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Federation of Public Works held a press conference on Tuesday, March 3rd in Villeurbanne to raise awareness about the state of the region's infrastructure assets and to present the major challenges related to their maintenance.

René Coiro, President of FRTP AURA, surrounded by representatives of the territories and specialties of the sector, delivered a clear message: "Infrastructure must finally enter the public debate."

A vital but fragile heritage

In his speech, René Coiro highlighted the extensive infrastructure base on which the region is built:

153.000 km of roads
104.400 km of drinking water networks
44.400 km of sanitation
16.060 bridges analyzed
3.475 km of railway lines
443 km of waterways
One of the densest energy and digital networks in the country.

An asset valued at an estimated 401 billion euros, serving 8 million inhabitants.

However, these infrastructures are deteriorating, sometimes to the point of collapse. A Terram study (2025) reveals that 56% of French people have noticed a deterioration of the roads and that 28% have experienced a failure of underground networks.

A clear expectation from citizens

According to the same study, 88% of citizens believe that the state of infrastructure should be a municipal campaign issue and 59% believe that inaugurating surface developments while networks are deteriorating constitutes a mistake in prioritizing.

Examples across the region illustrate the urgency:

Depending on the region, between 54 and 100% of the population is exposed to the risk of flooding;
Drinking water losses still fluctuate between 16 and 28%;
It would take several hundred years to renew the entire sanitation network at the current rate;
Etc.

The issue is not aesthetic. It is vital.

The FRTP calls for a maintenance mandate and proposes tools

Far from being a hindrance, maintenance is the primary driver of local development and must be at the heart of the strategies of municipal elected officials.

Positioned as a true partner, FRTP AURA offers a range of useful, free and immediately operational tools to support municipalities:

InfraClimat: analysis of the impact of climate hazards on local infrastructure;
Monsuivieau.fr: performance and urgent renewal of water networks;
SEVE-TP: environmental assessment of proposed technical solutions;
The Guide to Aid: an inventory of available subsidies;
The “Municipal Elections 2026” guide: a decision-making tool for integrating infrastructure and ecological transition into municipal programs.