OK ! This Tuesday, May 10, the first motorists took the section of fast lane 52 between the Jailly roundabout, in Marange-Silvange, and Rombas (Moselle) in the north-south direction. In the opposite direction, traffic has been open for just over two weeks.
This VR52 is a long-term project launched in the early 90s. This 2×2 lane should make it possible to go from the A30 to the A4, towards Paris, without having to take the A31 and its traffic already overload.
She must also secure the towns and villages of the Orne valley, including Marange-Silvange, crossed by motorists and truckers who would make a small detour to avoid traffic jams. On average, 23 to 25,000 vehicles cross Marange-Silvange daily. Ultimately, 20,000 of them should be diverted to this portion ofa little less than four kilometers.
Designed in the 70s, fought in the 90s, inaugurated in 2022
The genesis of this project dates back to the mining and steel crises. “A new axis seemed obvious as early as the 1970s. The gradual closures of large units led to changes in routes. The inhabitants of the territory have turned to the Moselle furrow” recalled the mayor, Yves Muller, at the time of the inauguration. But it was not until 1992 that the project entered its concrete phase. And in a form that did not please Marange-Silvange… “The association of opponents counted up to 800 members“ recalled Yves Muller.
Not without difficulty, a consensus was reached on a draft €86.5 million, financed 40% by the State, which will manage it via the DIR Est, 32% by the Grand Est region and 28% by the Moselle department. Declared of public utility in 2007, the work began in 2015.
At the end of this section is a covered trench, a sort of urban tunnel 400 meters long, supported by 2,700 tonnes of metal reinforcement and 27,000 cubic meters of concrete, the top of which can be fitted out to preserve the living environment. A public space and games for children could come out of the ground.
and the last section?
Only a section of the VR 52 remains to be built. East of Rombas. Studies have been carried out but the various partners must always agree on the distribution of funding.