Philippe Mahé: "Speed on the A57 will remain at 70 km/h, even after works end in 2025"

Indeed, the VINCI Autoroutes teams have provisionally and ahead of schedule opened the 3rd lane of the A57 highway in two sectors. Prepared for several weeks in coordination with the State services and the préfecture du Var, this early opening allows motorists to drive on 3 lanes between Pierre Ronde and La Bigue, and then between La Bigue and Tombadou, in the direction of Toulon. On this occasion, Philippe Mahé, prefect of Var, gathered local elected officials to highlight this new step forward in the widening.

NEW STAGE

The prefect of Var welcomed this opening: "After 3 years of work, the expectation for the realization of the A57 construction project from users, local authorities, and all stakeholders is high. This €300 million project, essential for mobility in the Toulon metropolis, supports economic growth and contributes to the creation of thousands of jobs. It is important to mark a new stage today by offering the possibility of driving on this 3rd lane without waiting until next year. I wanted this early opening and I am happy to mark this important phase of this major project. The work is drawing to a close, but let's still remain cautious on the road." The State representative added: "Today (September 24), we can see that motorists still need to get used to the third lane. It is only a matter of hours, if not days. Furthermore, we can perceive that the construction site will soon be completed. We feel a certain impatience, but this work brings more safety and fluidity and will also allow carpooling, even if, for now, there is no lane reserved for public transport." The prefect is now setting a date for the end of the first quarter of 2025 for the opening of the A57 to two times three lanes. For Philippe Mahé, this should translate into fewer traffic jams, meaning greater attractiveness for the metropolis. For his part, Salvador Nunez, Operational Director, VINCI Autoroutes, specified: "Driven by the common desire to offer the inhabitants of the Toulon metropolis better traffic conditions, the prefect of Var, the State services, and the VINCI Autoroutes teams mobilized to make this early opening possible. And without waiting for the end of the works, these 2.8 km of 3 lanes in the Nice - Toulon direction contribute to improving the daily lives of the 110,000 vehicles that drive every day on the A57 in this sector of the metropolis. For us, it is also a way to thank the residents and drivers who have shown patience and resilience since spring 2021, when this extraordinary project in the heart of the city began. The project is in its final stretch and many works remain to be carried out to complete the widening. For everyone's safety, I call on everyone to redouble their vigilance until the complete commissioning of the widened A57, expected during the first half of 2025."

KEY STAGE

Finally, Geneviève Levy, vice-president in charge of mobility at the Métropole TPM, was also satisfied: "The end of the A57 works will mean an improvement in all types of mobility. This project is exemplary in terms of intermodality, as buses will soon be able to stop just a few meters from the Sainte-Musse railway station, and this development of intermodality is what we are working on with TPM to offer an improved rail offer from Toulon to Carnoules, in parallel with the widening of the A57." "This September 24 therefore symbolized a key stage before the end of the work and the final commissioning of the highway to two times three lanes. Indeed, the work is not finished, and tasks continue. This construction site remains a real beehive of activity, particularly on weekday nights to limit the impact on daytime traffic. Commissioning should take place during the 1st half of 2025 once the Ministerial Decision is issued by the State services," warned Michel Castet, operations director for the A57 (VINCI Autoroutes).

In the presence of: Josée MASSI, maire de Toulon, Franck CHOUQUET, adjoint au maire de La Garde, Bernard ROUX, adjoint au maire de La Valette du Var, Laurent BOULET, DDTM du Var, Commissaire MARTIN de la DIPN, Capitaine LASSALLE (CRS), Capitaine GOURGUECHON (gendarmerie), Sylvain CHARRIER, director of the NGE business group carrying out the works, Mathilde FROMENT, deputy operations director A57 / VINCI Autoroutes, Benoît LETHUIN, operations manager / VINCI Autoroutes. Sophie LETHUIN - FARGE, communication manager DO Toulon and DO Montpellier, Sophie BARASTIER, préfecture du Var (Maison de la Sécurité Routière).