1 Here we go… until the end of 2025
On Monday April 3, the works prior to the implementation of the second tram line and the high-level service bus line in Brest will start. In concrete terms, this involves the diversion of underground networks (water, electricity, gas, telecommunications, etc.), essential before the infrastructure works for the new lines. This phase is not just a simple appetizer before the major project: “It’s not going to stop until the end of 2025 and the delivery of the new network”, warns Yohann Nédélec, vice-president of Brest metropolis in charge of mobility. The elected official announces plans for communications and information to users in all directions, with in particular the presence of three mediators in the districts of Bellevue, Brest-centre and Lambézellec. Objective: to avoid reliving the difficulties of the construction site of the first tramway line. “The tools were more rudimentary at the time,” agrees Yohann Nédélec.
2 Departure from Bellevue
The work will start in the Bellevue sector, before moving towards the city center and the station, following the route of the future tram line. The BHLS line will be processed in a second phase, from May and especially October 2023, towards Lambézellec. From next week, traffic will therefore begin to be disrupted in the Bellevue district, with work scheduled on the Tarente-Provence-Duc d’Aumale axes, which are very busy. “The axes will be passable by the residents. But for the others, we are going to set up recommended routes away from the works, by avenue Le Gorgeu in particular, ”explains Fabien Peyrard, project manager for public transport in a clean site in Brest metropolis. “The idea is to set up the most stable diversion routes possible over the duration of the works”.
3 The future one-way streets already imposed
This will be one of the most spectacular elements of this construction phase. From October 2023, and therefore well before the start of work on the new lines, Avenue Foch and Rue de Glasgow will be one-way, foreshadowing what traffic will be like in Brest city center in 2026. A small revolution for all those who use these axes on a daily basis. “The idea is precisely to have a definitive traffic plan as soon as possible, from October, in order to allow everyone to adopt new habits as quickly as possible”, defends Yohann Nédélec.
4 The Bibus network will have to adapt
Work on the underground networks will inevitably disrupt the public transport service. The operator, RATP-dev, will therefore modify its network from May 22, until the entry into service of the new lines, in 2026. “We will move away from the sectors most strongly impacted by the works” , summarizes Paul Gardey-de-Soos, director of the Bibus network. In Bellevue, buses will thus avoid rue Duc d’Aumale and avenue de Provence, and the Patinoire stop, in particular, will be erased. In the city centre, there will no longer be stops along boulevard Clémenceau; the Liberté stops will be re-allocated to the Augustin-Morvan and Branda stops. As for Lambézellec, boulevard Léon-Blum (between Montaigne and Somme Py), but also rue Jules-Lesven and Robespierre (to the north) will no longer be used by buses.
