Aulas and Sarselli Unveil Ambitious Mega-Tunnel Project for Lyon
In a bold move to kick off the 2026 election year, Jean-Michel Aulas, candidate for mayor of Lyon, and Véronique Sarselli (LR, Grand Coeur Lyonnais), candidate for the Métropole, have announced their flagship urban development project: an 8-kilometer road tunnel beneath Lyon. This initiative, revealed in an exclusive interview with Le Progrès on Monday, January 5, 2026, aims to drastically reduce traffic congestion and enhance air quality within the city. The proposal comes as a direct challenge to the incumbent ecologists, who have faced criticism regarding their transportation policies.
A Solution to Lyon’s Traffic Woes?
The proposed tunnel, dubbed the “New Fourvière Crossing,” is designed to connect Pont d’Écully/Valvert on the M6 to Saint-Fons/Boulevard périphérique Laurent Bonnevay on the M7. This strategic link would effectively bypass the heavily congested Fourvière tunnel, a perennial bottleneck for Lyon’s commuters. Véronique Sarselli emphasized that the project is crucial for diverting a significant volume of vehicles, thereby substantially improving the Métropole’s air quality through an integrated pollution capture system within the tunnel. The dual-direction tunnel would commence on the M6 near Tassin and emerge near Saint-Fons, close to the A450, with an intermediate exit in Lyon.
Long-Term Vision and Funding
With an estimated cost of approximately 2 billion euros, the project is projected to be completed by 2036-2037, requiring ten years for studies and construction. This long-term vision also includes a significant reimagining of the existing Fourvière tunnel, which would be reconfigured to dedicate one tube to soft mobility (pedestrians, cyclists) and the other to local traffic. The candidates envision a public-private partnership for financing, with Jean-Michel Aulas highlighting the potential to create around 5,000 jobs over the decade-long construction period. While a toll system, similar to the northern périphérique, is not ruled out, Sarselli noted that the question of its implementation remains open. Aulas further suggested the possibility of differentiating treatment between residents of Greater Lyon and other motorists through the use of artificial intelligence, underscoring a commitment to innovative solutions.
Impact on Urban Planning and Existing Projects
Beyond traffic relief, the tunnel project aims to “radically pacify the banks, Confluence, La Mulatière, Pierre-Bénite, and Perrache.” This suggests a broader urban renewal strategy, where reduced surface traffic could free up space for green areas and pedestrian zones. However, the candidates offered less concrete details regarding the future of the Perrache exchange center, a major transport hub currently undergoing modernization by the ecologists. Aulas stated that while a project for Perrache is necessary, it is premature to elaborate on specifics. Furthermore, Sarselli hinted that the “New Fourvière Crossing” might render the planned Western Lyon Express Tramway (TEOL) project redundant, raising questions about the compatibility and efficiency of current and proposed infrastructure developments.
Aulas and Sarselli’s Alliance and Political Landscape
The announcement underscores the strong alliance between Jean-Michel Aulas and Véronique Sarselli, who are campaigning together under the ‘Grand Coeur Lyonnais’ banner for the upcoming municipal and metropolitan elections. Their partnership, solidified on November 25, 2025, aims to unseat the current ecological leadership in Lyon and the Métropole. Sarselli, who is vying for the presidency of the Métropole, has been endorsed by Aulas, with a shared commitment to a “total parity” in their lists and a firm stance against alliances with extremist parties. This alliance, supported by a significant number of mayors in the Métropole, seeks to address what they describe as a “dogmatic and vertical governance” that has led to deteriorating security, congested mobility, and weakened economic vitality. The proposal of a mega-tunnel, therefore, is not merely an infrastructure project but a political statement, signaling a departure from the current administration’s focus on soft mobility and a return to large-scale, car-centric solutions, albeit with a modern ecological twist through advanced pollution control. The debate over Lyon’s future clearly hinges on contrasting visions for urban development and transportation. [actu.fr](https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/municipales-aulas-et-sarselli-promettent-un-mega-tunnel-sous-lyon-pour-reduire-les-bouchons_63649369.html), [leprogres.fr](https://www.leprogres.fr/politique/2025/12/16/pour-son-plan-fraicheur-jean-michel-aulas-propose-une-foret-urbaine-a-lyon), [actu.fr](https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/municipales-a-lyon-jean-michel-aulas-annonce-un-nouveau-metro-tcl-son-projet_63501294.html), [actu.fr](https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/lyon-jean-michel-aulas-l-interview-evenement-ses-promesses-exclusives-s-il-est-maire_63489342.html), [leparisien.fr](https://www.leparisien.fr/elections/municipales/municipales-a-lyon-jean-michel-aulas-et-la-candidate-lr-veronique-sarselli-font-alliance-pour-les-elections-a-la-metropole-25-11-2025-RZSHN37465F6JONBCJS6IE23UU.php), [france3-regions.franceinfo.fr](https://france3-regions.franceinfo.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/rhone/lyon/municipales-2026-jean-michel-aulas-officialise-son-alliance-avec-la-candidate-veronique-sarselli-pour-la-metropole-de-lyon-3255640.html)
