At the gas pump in the Vélizy 2 shopping center, you must avoid approaching a spark of Gérald. Especially when we talk to him about the closure of the A13 because there is a real risk of explosion. “It’s an impossible hassle,” admits in cold anger this 47-year-old motorist, living in Davron in Yvelines. Before getting a twinkle in his eyes, “they had better meet the deadlines otherwise I will end up forcing the roadblocks myself. »
An unusual gas station for him, but one that he has started to get to know since April 19 and the closure of the A13 between Vaucresson and the Paris ring road following the detection of a crack on the highway. Despite the reopening of a lane in the Province-Paris direction on May 11, he goes to his office in the 13th arrondissement every day via Versailles and the A86.
Very long alternative routes
“I look at the applications every morning before leaving, and generally, it’s faster than on the A13 which is still way too congested. And then, it takes me the same route as the return trip in the evening,” he explains. Because the Paris-suburb or province trip is still impossible… For the moment, because on Tuesday, the prefect of Hauts-de-Seine, Laurent Hottiaux, reiterated, in a press release, the objective of a complete reopening of the A13 motorway at the end of June.
“I don’t believe it, they are never on time in public works, it will last a while,” breathes Azeline, a resident of Plaisir (Yvelines) and administrative secretary in the Balard district (15th arrondissement). . Less accustomed to Vélizy 2, she says she trusts the Waze application which takes her different routes depending on the day and the number of people on the roads, very often departmental roads. “Anyway, at best, I’ll take at least thirty minutes longer than normal. Sometimes it’s more than an hour. »
Very expensive A14
Same price for Karim who leaves Orgeval at 6 a.m. every morning since mid-April to avoid traffic jams as much as possible. “I’m going through the A14 and the ring road now. But there are still people with the postponements, so it takes time. But on top of that, you have to pay, I find that scandalous. » Because yes, the portion that the motorist takes is chargeable. Almost 11 euros despite Valérie Pécresse’s request for the State to cover these costs during the work. A request refused by the Minister of Transport, Patrice Vergriete, who nevertheless conceded a reduction in the toll for light vehicles, from 10.60 euros to 5.40 euros, the price of a two-wheeler. But on one condition all the same: there must be at least two passengers to benefit from it.
A condition that upsets Françoise, also a resident of Yvelines: “I couldn’t find anyone to carpool. So I’m there out of my pocket. It’s shameful, we had nothing to do if the road cracked. I don’t see why we should pay more. Look at public transport, when there are problems, people are compensated! »
Public transport or teleworking
Transport precisely, an alternative solution? “I would have to go by car to Poissy station, to take the RER A, then a Transilien or another RER to go to Saint-Cloud, it would take me days to arrive, not to mention the problems on the transport”, sweeps Françoise who still managed to “scratch” one or two days of teleworking per week until the situation returns to normal.
Teleworking is not a problem for Eddy, sitting on a terrace at Porte de Saint-Cloud. Well almost, accustomed to isolating himself in his house near Cabourg (Calvados) to work, this IT engineer consultant says he goes to Normandy less often. “I’ve only been there twice since the A13 closed. I tried the train, but I like having my freedom with my car, so for now I’m staying here. »
What about vacations and the Olympics?
He still had time to notice a lesser presence of Parisians on the Normandy seaside since April. “We’re used to the Friday evening traffic jams, but with the detours to make, it must be discouraging. »
If not all Parisians can enjoy a second home in the region of William the Conqueror and Orelsan, there are usually many who go there for a weekend, or for vacation. “I will go there for a few days, but before the end of the school year, because if it is not resolved by then, it will be a real construction site in the west of Paris,” explains Eddy.
A project that Simon, a waiter on the Place de Saint-Cloud, already imagines to be gigantic for the Olympic Games. With several sites in the west and southwest of Paris (Parc des Princes, Roland-Garros, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Colline d’Elancourt and Château de Versailles), the situation of the A13 can legitimately worry. “I don’t know if everything will be restored for the Olympics. But when I see the mess it is for a few pipes to patch up, if the slightest problem happens during the Games, it will be chaos. »