The RD 559 transformed with a footbridge and smart traffic lights
After seven months of work on the RD 559, the Département completes a major project to secure and smooth traffic flow.
The Département announced the completion of the development works on the Pont de la Clue intersection, a major hub located on the RD 559, at the junction of the municipalities of La Garde and Le Pradet. Launched in May 2025, this major project, which lasted seven months, was materialized by the creation of a footbridge dedicated to soft mobility and the installation of "smart" traffic lights. At a cost of €1,800,000 tax included, the operation was financed by the Département, with a €233,000 tax excluded contribution from the Métropole Toulon Provence Méditerranée (MTPM).
SAFETY The ambition of this project was to address several major issues on this busy axis. The first goal was to secure pedestrians and cyclists. The construction of a new footbridge for soft mobility, connected to the Parcours Cyclable du Littoral (PCL), now offers a safe crossing of the departmental road.
The second challenge was to ease road traffic, which is particularly dense during peak hours. Thus, the old traffic lights were replaced by an adaptive, so-called "smart" system. These devices adjust the duration of traffic light cycles in real time based on traffic density, reducing waiting times for motorists at the intersections with the RD 42 and RD 2242.
Finally, an improvement in the landscaping of the area was integrated into the project. The intersection traffic islands were redesigned, the road surfacing completely renewed, and the public lighting network was modernized with the installation of lampposts with a more contemporary design. Landscaping and the installation of a watering system complete the aesthetic upgrade of the site.
STRATEGIC AXIS To successfully carry out this complex project, the Département called upon several consortiums of specialized companies, including RAZEL-BEC/SATELEC Infrastructure/STRADA Enrobé for the roadworks, and EIFFAGE Génie civil/ ACCMA for the footbridge, as well as the companies AVICOLLO Énergies and IDVERDE. The construction phases included preparatory works, the building of deep foundations for the footbridge, the complete resurfacing of the road, and the installation of the new equipment.
Aware of the impact of such a construction site on such a strategic axis, the departmental services took measures to limit disruptions. The most disruptive operations for the roadway, such as milling and asphalt laying, were carried out mainly at night, between 9:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. During the seven months of work, traffic was maintained thanks to a temporary traffic light system.
The setting up of a roundabout on the RD 559 was only authorized outside peak hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the speed was limited to 30 km/h in the construction area.
The project also took public transport into account, with four lines of the Réseau Mistral (23, 39, 98 and the school line GA 01) using this intersection. According to the Département, the two "Pont de la Clue" bus stops were not affected by the work, ensuring continuity of service.
Photo DR.