The Council of State approves a project for a new bridge over the Saône

The project, costing around 20 million euros, aims to replace the current Fleurville bridge linking the towns of Pont-de-Vaux (Ain) and Montbellet (Saône-et-Loire) with a new structure a few meters upstream.

The Council of State confirmed the environmental authorization on Friday, overturning a previous decision in favour of the association "Bien vivre à Replonges", which opposed the construction for environmental reasons.

In March 2022, the Lyon administrative court overturned the prefectural decrees authorizing the construction of the new bridge, ruling that the reconstruction of the existing bridge constituted a satisfactory alternative solution.

Built at the end of the 19th century and rebuilt at the end of the Second World War, it shows signs of weakness, while it is used by 6.700 vehicles per day, the departments argued.

Since 2013, this bridge has been subject to usage restrictions, including alternating traffic, a speed limit of 50 km/h and a tonnage limitation due to these weaknesses, according to the instruction.

In its decision, the Council of State ruled that this project to rebuild the current bridge "did not adequately meet the main objective of securing the crossing of the Saône in order to allow for increased traffic flow".

"I welcome the decision of the Council of State (...) which gives a short-term perspective for all residents to be able, in the long term, to cross a structure safely," reacted the president of the Ain department, Jean Deguerry, in a press release.

"Beyond Fleurville, this is a symbolic victory which should also satisfy all project promoters who find themselves blocked by minorities who cling to political positions without regard for the general interest," added Mr. Deguerry, referring to other projects contested in court such as the A69 near Toulouse.

In 2019, the two departments announced their intention to name the future bridge after former president Jacques Chirac, who died in September of that same year.