Île-Parc Girodet footbridge: spectacular installation of the section above the A7 motorway

A point of view had been materialized to follow this exceptional moment near the work area, where many people gathered.

For Marlène Mourier, Mayor: “Like legos, these first sections fit together. The walkway is taking shape. Users of the ViaRhôna will be able to connect the Île-Parc Girodet to the Vieux Bourg before reaching Valence and the Parc Jouvet. Its accessibility will thus contribute to strengthening the economic attractiveness of our municipality. This journey represents an exceptional opportunity for many visitors to cross and discover our city. »

The last section and the mast are expected respectively on the nights of Thursday 11 to Friday 12 May then from Wednesday 24 to Thursday 25 May (subject to the progress of the work and weather conditions). Once the structure is installed, several months will be needed to carry out various adjustments and safety tests, before commissioning scheduled for the end of 2023-beginning of 2024.

Once completed, the footbridge, 123 meters long for 200 tons of steel suspended above the A7 motorway will constitute a unique architectural work in France. Decorated with a belvedere overlooking the Rhône at 180°, it will be reserved for soft modes of transport (cyclists, joggers, pedestrians,... but also people with reduced mobility, thanks to an accessible ramp).

Official route of the ViaRhôna (800 km cycle route linking Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea), this new emblematic symbol of Bourg-lès-Valence will appear in all European tourist brochures, thus contributing to the international influence of the town and to the beyond, of all the territory of Valence.

To allow the construction of the footbridge, preliminary works were carried out in agreement with the Department in order to lower the departmental road D2007N. On this occasion, the speed of vehicles was reduced to 70 km/h instead of 90 on this formerly accident-prone road. These developments, which have made it possible to reduce pollution and noise pollution for residents living near the quays, have given rise to the revegetation of the verges and the road.

For the President of the Departmental Council, Marie-Pierre MOUTON: “As the main partner of the local authorities in the Drôme, the Département de la Drôme supports this development project which meets the challenges of tourist appeal and the development of soft mobility. »

Aware of this issue of tourist attractiveness, the State, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region and the Drôme Department have contributed more than 68% to the financing of the 5,5 million € project, alongside the City of Bourg-lès-Valence (State: €1,3 million, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region: €2 million, Drôme Department: €400.000, City of Bourg-lès-Valence: 1,7 millions of €).