Pile maintenance work on the 3.35km-long Saint-Nazaire Bridge – the longest road bridge in metropolitan France – is likely to cost upward of €50 million.
Next month, the cable-stayed bridge with a 404m-long central span will be 50 years old. It spans the River Loire and links Saint-Nazaire on the north bank and Saint-Brevin-les-Pins on the south bank, in the government administrative department of Loire-Atlantique. Although in good condition overall, the pile work will extend the life the structure beyond its 100-year expectancy, according to Freddy Hervochon, vice president in charge of mobility at the Loire-Atlantique Department’s major works unit.
French media reports say the 35 concrete columns, partly submerged, are scheduled for rehabilitation from 2027 to 2032. The project is estimated to cost €40 million, with another €8 million needed to modernize the dynamic three-lane management system.
The reversible lanes allow, during the day or special events, for a second lane to be dedicated to the busier direction. The system has folding barriers along with illuminated red studs embedded in the asphalt. Additional illuminated signs indicate to drivers whether their lane is closed or open.
The bridge was commissioned on 18 October 1975, after three years of construction. In 1992, the Loire-Atlantique department took over SAEM du pont Saint-Nazaire, the contractor which had built and was operating the bridge and collecting tolls. Access to the bridge then became toll-free on 1 October 1994.
Steel work for the bridge was done by Compagnie Française d’Entreprises Métalliques (CFEM). Concrete work was done by Société Générale d’Entreprises (SGE), with foundation work subcontracted to Morillon-Corvol, Courbot and Dodin.
