authorities suddenly close a century-old bridge in La Rochelle eaten away by corrosion

Some Rochelais will have to change their itinerary. The Tasdon bridge, eaten away by corrosion and beyond repair, was closed indefinitely to vehicles on Friday, November 10, after an announcement from the town hall the same day. Built in 1912 and spanning the railway tracks, this iron bridge with platinum assemblies was the subject of a study conducted by the Charente-Maritime department, the results of which confirmed, on Thursday, a “active and widespread corrosion” of the metal structure.

Quoted by South Westthe president of the department, Sylvie Marcilly, had recommended to the town hall of La Rochelle, manager of the bridge, to close “urgently” the structure by prohibiting the circulation of “all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians”. The municipality has chosen to prohibit only road traffic and to authorize “the passage of bicycles and pedestrians”. The town hall has indicated that it is ready to contribute to the construction of a new bridge “which would ensure the passage of buses, vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians and whose aesthetics would suit residents”.