The “New Fourvière Crossing” (NTF) project, unveiled by candidates Jean-Michel Aulas and Véronique Sarselli under the “Cœur Lyonnais” banner, is poised to become a central point of contention in the 2026 Métropole de Lyon elections. This ambitious 8-kilometer underground tunnel, estimated at a staggering 2 billion euros, seeks to address Lyon’s perennial traffic congestion by rerouting transit vehicles currently clogging the M6 and M7 motorways through the city center. However, the proposal immediately raises critical questions about its long-term effectiveness, environmental implications, and economic viability, challenging the current ecological majority’s focus on public transport and cycling infrastructure.
A Grand Vision for Lyon’s Mobility: The NTF Proposal
The core of the NTF project is an 8-kilometer subterranean tube designed to connect the Valvert junction (in Tassin-la-Demi-Lune) to the Saint-Fons sector, south of Lyon. Its primary objective is to capture transit traffic that currently saturates the Presqu’île, thereby bypassing the historic city center. Jean-Michel Aulas and Véronique Sarselli argue that existing solutions aimed at reducing car usage are insufficient to alleviate the north-south transit problem, making a monumental infrastructure project like the NTF indispensable.
For Véronique Sarselli, a candidate for the presidency of the Métropole de Lyon, the NTF represents a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach to ecological challenges. The project proponents highlight state-of-the-art technology, including advanced ventilation, filtration, and pollution capture systems, which they claim will be among the most stringent globally. This emphasis on environmental mitigation aims to counter criticisms often leveled against large-scale road infrastructure.
Beyond Traffic: Urban Regeneration and Economic Impact
While the 2-billion euro price tag is undeniably steep, Aulas and Sarselli underscore the significant urban and human benefits projected from the NTF. They estimate that burying the traffic would free up 45 hectares of public space on the surface, particularly between Perrache and La Confluence. The vision is to transform the existing urban highway into a tranquil, green boulevard, reconnecting Lyonnais residents with the riverbanks and mending the historical divide that has separated the north and south of the Presqu’île.
This aspect of the project directly challenges the current ecological administration’s urban planning philosophy, which prioritizes public transport and the development of “Voies Lyonnaises” (cycling paths). The NTF reintroduces the debate on major road infrastructure, signaling a potential shift in the city’s approach to mobility and urban development.
The Political Fault Line: Pragmatism vs. “Car Magnet”
The “New Fourvière Crossing” is set to be a defining issue in the 2026 political campaign. On one side are those who view it as a pragmatic solution to decongest Lyon, offering a tangible answer to decades of traffic woes. They argue that a city of Lyon’s size and economic importance requires robust infrastructure to support its growth and maintain its appeal.
On the other side are critics who denounce the project as an expensive and anachronistic “car magnet.” They fear that rather than reducing overall traffic, the tunnel could induce more car usage, undermining efforts to promote sustainable modes of transport. This perspective aligns with the ecological majority’s strategy, which has focused on disincentivizing car use within the city and investing heavily in public transport and active mobility.
The debate surrounding the NTF goes beyond mere infrastructure; it touches upon fundamental questions about the future identity of Lyon. Will it be a city that embraces large-scale automotive solutions, or one that doubles down on ecological transition and soft mobility? The political clash promises to be intense, with mobility firmly at the center of the electoral ring for 2026.
Lessons from Other Cities and Future Prospects
While the NTF project is unique to Lyon, the challenges it seeks to address are common to many major European cities. The tension between managing urban growth, maintaining economic dynamism, and pursuing environmental goals is a constant balancing act. The success or failure of the NTF, should it proceed, could offer valuable lessons for other urban centers grappling with similar dilemmas.
The estimated 10-year construction timeline for the NTF, as mentioned by its proponents, also raises questions about immediate solutions and interim measures. Critics might argue that such a long-term project diverts resources and attention from more immediate and perhaps more sustainable interventions. The political discourse leading up to 2026 will undoubtedly explore these alternative pathways and their potential impact on Lyon’s residents.
Conclusion: A Defining Choice for Lyon’s Future
The “New Fourvière Crossing” project is more than just a tunnel; it is a symbol of a deeper ideological struggle over Lyon’s future. It pits a vision of large-scale infrastructure and economic pragmatism against one of ecological transition and sustainable urban living. The outcome of this debate will not only determine the fate of a 2-billion euro project but also shape the daily lives of Lyonnais residents for decades to come.
As the 2026 elections draw closer, the discussion around the NTF will intensify, forcing candidates and citizens alike to weigh the benefits of potential decongestion against the costs of environmental impact and the opportunity cost of alternative investments. Lyon stands at a crossroads, and the choice it makes regarding its mobility infrastructure will be a testament to its priorities and its vision for the future.
Source: https://www.lyondemain.fr/nouvelle-traversee-de-fourviere-veronique-sarselli/
