The L2 Marseille bypass is in progress

Although L2 Marseille bypass project has existed since 1930, it is only coming to light now thanks to the Société de la Rocade L2 comprised of Bouygues Construction, Colas Midi-Méditerranée, Spie Batignolles, Egis, Meridiam Infrastructure and CDC Infrastructure. This is a real challenge as several obstacles have had to be overcome for this site, which should be completed by the end of 2017. The public-private partnership contract was signed between the State and the Société de la Rocade L2 in Marseille two years ago. So what progress has been made?

The project

The L2 bypass is a monumental site for Marseille. The idea originated in the 1930s and the first sods were turned 25 years ago. To say the bypass is much-anticipated would be an understatement! What is the aim? To improve traffic flow in the north-east side of the city by developing soft modes of transport in particular. Over 95,000 vehicles are expected per day as soon as it opens. Moving works and civil engineering are still in progress across the entire north section of the site. Road surfacing and installing equipment has commenced on the east side. 80% of the major structural works were already completed on the east section.

The bypass will combine two complimentary functions: a by-pass of Marseille and inter-district access which required major cooperation with the district committees.

Challenges to overcome

The particularity of the L2 bypass is its location in dense urban areas north of Marseille. The challenge is to limit the impact of the project on the daily lives of residents and to meet new ecological construction standards. Sound levels and air quality are highly monitored, especially as over half of the road is covered.

What’s more, the group has committed to an energy consumption limit for the entire duration of the project. This is why there are led lights in the tunnels, a first for a project of this scale in France. To reduce greenhouse gases from congestion, modular light signalling will ensure effective speed regulation, which will go from 90 to 70 or 50km/h depending on traffic.

Getting people involved

An employment platform centralising all on-site jobs was set up in one of the two project presentation houses. The platform is supported by Pôle Emploi, local employment initiatives, the local employment and integration project and the Building and Civil Works federation. This initiative has meant that 15 formwork contracts have been signed already.