Evoked for more than 15 years, the project to connect lines 1 and 2 of the tramway to the northeast of Nantes is resuming its (slow) forward march. Since Monday, a public inquiry has been opened, for a period of one month, concerning phase 2 of the future connection. After the extension of line 1 to Ranzay ten years ago, the objective is now to cross the Erdre, via the Jonelière bridge, to the Babinière interchange at La Chapelle-sur- Erder.
This Babinière site is already frequented by the Nantes-Châteaubriant tram-train line. A new tram technical and operating center must also be built there, while the park and ride must be extended to increase its capacity to 550 spaces. Amount of investments: no less than 153 million euros! Three times the price of the Heron Tree, for example.
The real connection, not for now
Residents and users are invited to give their opinion on the usefulness of this phase 2 and its environmental issues. Their comments can be sent online or to the Nantes-Ranzay town hall. The objective is to bring it into service by the end of 2024.
As for phase 3 of the L1-L2 connection project, no date has yet been advanced. The idea is to connect the two lines, near the university campus and the Rector-Schmitt station, in order to create a shortcut avoiding the obligatory passage through Commerce. Several routes are possible. Detailed studies are not carried out.