Open to the public

Some aspects of the project have been developed to allow visitors to explore the site and discover the Somme valley, including:

• pedestrian and cycle paths (about 4.5 metres wide), which will join up with existing routes,
• observation points over the valley
• access geared to all visitors

The Somme Canal Aqueduct will become a new destination for walkers and those wishing to explore the area, alongside its function as a waterway transport link.

Paying special attention for the environment

The project has been designed to include measures to protect and enrich local biodiversity.

Within the scope of the contract, features of the project include:

• The creation of more than 7.5 hectares of woodland and vegetation
• Restoration or creation of approximately 15 hectares of meadows and wetlands with the selection of local species suited to the site
• Measures to protect wildlife during the works
• Transplantation and plant recolonisation operations

These developments are intended to ensure the successful integration of the structure in the Somme Valley.

An imposing structure and an exceptional natural site

[Excerpt from the architectural brief by Lavigne Chéron Architects]

“The Somme Canal Aqueduct will run between water and sky, stretching across the valley –a link more than a kilometre long. It will evoke a ribbon blending into the landscape with humility and discretion. At a height of thirty metres, the structure will become a kind of suspended balcony. More than a mere structure, it will be a place of life and reflection, where human ingenuity will recede to offer a serene invitation to contemplation. The use of concrete, deliberately chosen in preference to metal, is a choice that is both aesthetic and practical: in the tradition of classic stone structures, concrete has been preferred for its exceptional load-bearing capacity. It will be cast on site, which will boostthe local economy and generate employment.”

The Canalieau consortium

The project, which is worth over €440 million, will be carried out by a consortium made up of the following construction companies:

• Bouygues Travaux Publics (leader) and its subsidiary, Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France : €295,2 m
• Razel-Bec: €126,5 m
  • along with the companies responsible for design (€18.7 m):
• Egis
• SBE
• ISL Ingénierie
• Lavigne Chéron Architectes
• Signes Paysages

ABOUT BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION

Bouygues Construction employs 35,600 people around the world, all driven by the greatest and most exciting responsibility of all – building for life. In more than 50 countries, we improve daily life for millions of people by creating structures and buildings that serve life and address all our needs: shelter, healthcare, education, work, entertainment, travel, access to low carbon energy, etc. At every stage of a project, we put all our expertise and our experience into designing, renovating and building differently so that we can meet the critical imperatives of the environmental transition and achieve construction that is sustainable and less resource-intensive. Every day, we make sure that everyone is safe, and that human rights and ethical standards are respected. Committed to strong values, the men and women of Bouygues Construction work passionately alongside their customers and partners so that our footprint becomes ever more positive. In 2024, Bouygues Construction generated sales of €10.3 billion.

PRESS CONTACT

Céline Badet +33 6 9982 3567 – c.badet@bouygues-construction.com

ABOUT BOUYGUES TRAVAUX PUBLICS REGIONS FRANCE

Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France is a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction. It employs 900 people, all driven by the greatest and most exciting responsibility of all – building for life Operating throughout France, Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France does much more than just build structures; it builds places, connections and opportunities. With a sense of responsibility towards future generations, Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France innovates every day, designing, renovating and building sustainably, optimising materials and designs for a reduced carbon footprint. Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France supports the development of sustainable infrastructure and facilities, contributing to a resilient and connected region.

ABOUT SBE

SBE is a multidisciplinary engineering company with over 35 years of experience in delivering future-oriented, technically sound solutions. By combining civil, architectural and electromechanical engineering, we provide integrated expertise across the full project lifecycle. Through our core disciplines (Port, River & Hydraulic Engineering; Civil Engineering & Infrastructure; Urbanism & Design; Industry & Buildings; Electromechanics) we take on roles ranging from integral designer to project manager, guiding projects from feasibility studies and concept design to execution and completion. Our focus is on constructability, sustainability and efficiency. With a team of engineers, BIM engineers and (landscape) architects, we execute complex projects including (moveable) bridges, tunnels, locks, quay walls and large-scale infrastructure works. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures technical excellence, integrated solutions and smooth collaboration with all stakeholders.Knowledge sharing and innovation are central to our work.

ABOUT ISL

ISL Ingénierie is a French engineering firm with renowned expertise in the safety of hydraulic structures, particularly dams and dykes. The company assists project owners in the public and private sectors with risk assessment, regulatory studies, structural diagnostics and the definition of construction and reinforcement programmes for river infrastructure. An independent, employee-owned company, ISL Ingénierie employs 140 people who are committed to customer focus, technical rigour and environmental responsibility. Its teams of highly qualified engineers and experts ensure responsiveness,quality of execution and operational excellence. ISL Ingénierie is committed to the principles of sustainable development and overall performance. The company is dedicated to designing responsible projects that combine technical excellence, cost control and respect for local areas.

ABOUT SIGNES PAYSAGES

With over 35 years of experience, Signes Paysages boasts a wealth of references in land-use planning, specialising in Parks & Gardens, Urban Planning, Mobility and Territory. Our Landscape Designers, Urban Planners, Graphic Designers, and Architects all share the same passion for design, fostering social connections and shaping everyday life, all dedicated to our landscapes and environment. Signes Paysages works in multidisciplinary teams to actively and effectively meet the expectations of both public and private clients, addressing the specific challenges of each context and project. With our two offices in Paris and Bordeaux, we operate throughout France and internationally, guided by the same values of commitment and kindness.

PRESS CONTACT

Sébastien Forzy +33 6 8304 5927 – contact@signes-paysages.fr

Find all our news and references on https://signes-paysages.fr

ABOUT LAVIGNE CHERON ARCHITECTES

Lavigne Chéron Architects, or ‘Architecture and Engineering Structures’, specialises in the architecture of engineering structures, major civil engineering works (roads, motorways, railways, public transport, maritime and river structures) and urban development. The firm’s practice is based on the principle of imagining new structures and architectural and urban solutions adapted to current issues. Our approach is both concrete and poetic. Our designs are always guided by structural truth and honesty in the way we work, while seeking to enhance their expressiveness and visual impact. Through its experience with complex projects, the firm has developed a personal approach to the cross-disciplinary nature of architectural design. This approach is based on the importance placed on simplicity and clarity in the presentation of concepts, thereby promoting architectural quality and formal unity throughout the life of the project and among stakeholders in the construction process.

ABOUT RAZEL-BEC

Razel-Bec, a subsidiary of the Fayat Group – the leading independent construction group in France and worldwide leader in road equipment, is a recognized expert in all areas of public works: civil engineering and engineering structures, linear infrastructure and earthworks, underground works, industrial and nuclear civil engineering, dams, the environment, and urban and ecological engineering. Its 5,000 employees work in France and internationally to provide clear-sighted and inventive responses to the current and specific challenges of public works. For more than 140 years, they have put their heart into their work every day, making Razel-Bec a human and collective adventure.

PRESS CONTACT

Céline Gronon +33 6 8017 1562 – c.gronon@razel-bec.fayat.com

ABOUT EGIS

Egis is a leading global architectural, consulting, construction engineering, operations and mobility services firm. We create and operate intelligent infrastructure and buildings that both respond to the climate emergency and contribute to balanced, sustainable and resilient development. Our 22,000 employees operate across over 70 countries, deploying their expertise to develop and deliver cutting-edge innovations and solutions for clients. Through the wide range of our activities, we are central to the collective organisation of society and the living environment of citizens all over the world.

ABOUT THE SEINE-NORD EUROPE CANAL

The Seine-Nord Europe Canal ia a major regional development project that combines technical performance, environmental protection and safety. It will connect Compiègne in the Oise department to Aubencheul-au-Bac in the Nord department by 2032. This wide-gauge canal, which is 107 kilometres long and 54 metres wide, is an essential link in the Seine-Scheldt river connection, which will connect the French network to 20,000 km of European waterways. It will facilitate the growth of river transport, which is an eco-friendly alternative for freight transport and enhancing the competitiveness of production and regional appeal. This major project represents an investment of more than €7 billion, financed by the European Union, France and the local authorities that run the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe (SCSNE), the public institution responsible for project management.