Participation and mobilization were strong and exceeded participation for other major projects in Nice Côte d’Azur (Nice Stadium, Coulée Verte, extension of Boulevard Slama…). Attendance at the 3 survey sites: 5,551 visitors
Number of written statements: 1,256 written contributions (letters and registers)
The inquiry commissioners submitted their conclusions to the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes on Friday, March 16, 2012.
The Commission of Inquiry Report
A remarkable job was done by the inquiry commissioners who analyzed, with complete independence, the comments submitted in the registers, letters, and petitions, and drew all the lessons from the many meetings they held during their duty periods.
The report submitted to the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes consists of 3 volumes for 1,027 pages.
The Conclusions of the Commission of Inquiry
The commission of inquiry gave a favorable opinion on the project, accompanied by 3 reservations and 9 recommendations.
A word from Christian Estrosi: “We are designing the green city of the 21st century. The West-East tram line is the link that creates coherence between all the other projects I have presented, most of which are already underway. From now on, each neighborhood will be serviced.”
The West-East line will serve the main generators of travel (the port, the airport, the CADAM, L’Arénas, Lenval hospital, the Nikaïa, etc.) and will serve 210,000 people and jobs within 500 meters of the route.
The West-East Line
Today, the significant vehicle flows at the western entrance of the city, coming mainly from the major employment areas of Sophia-Antipolis and Carros, cause traffic and parking congestion in the city center. The West-East line will ultimately eliminate a flow of 20,000 cars on the Promenade des Anglais and will also serve each district, as well as essential hubs such as the Airport and Arenas, for nearly 210,000 people.
The Strengths of the Project
The West-East line project, entirely designed to improve our quality of life in the city, is both an urban planning and transport project that will profoundly transform the appearance of the neighborhoods it crosses.
Greater Mobility
A real alternative to the car to preserve the future; a more efficient transport network and increased intermodality; a more modern city where all modes of transport are interconnected; more comfort, security, and accessibility in public transport.
On the currently saturated Californie-Promenade axis, the tram will increase the public transport offer from 70,000 to 105,000 people transported daily.
Upon the line’s opening, extended trams of 44 meters (300 people transported) will be put into service. Also, the project is designed from the start so that, ultimately, this line can transport 200,000 passengers/day.
The two lines will serve 260,000 people, which is two-thirds of the population of Nice and 85% of the hotels.
The underground construction for crossing the city center will ensure journey times as the tram will be completely free of traffic constraints.
A major exchange hub will be created at Saint-Augustin, on the site of the current MIN, a true gateway to the Metropolis where all modes of transport will interconnect. It will be closely linked with the EPA responsible for the development of the Eco-Valley. This major exchange hub, in the heart of the large Arénas, will allow Tram-Airplane connections (direct access to the airport), Tram-Bus (urban and intercity buses), Tram-Train (TGV and TER), Tram-Car (700-space park and ride and Auto Bleue stations), Tram-Bikes (Vélo Bleu).
Two stations will be arranged in direct connection with terminals 1 and 2 of the Nice Côte d’Azur airport, the showcase of our department, which will be connected to the city center in less than 20 minutes.
The construction of the tram terminus at the foot of the Charles Erhmann stadium will serve, besides the sports venue, the Palais Nikaïa and the administrative center. The complete restructuring of access to the prefecture and departmental council services will be more readable for motorists and more comfortable and safer for pedestrians.
The major urban renewal project of the Moulins will be enhanced by the creation of the two stations “Paul Montel” and “Digue des Français” to open up this neighborhood of over 10,000 inhabitants.
The West-East line will also support the initial projects of the future Eco-Valley, including Nice Méridia and later the Nice Stadium and its eco-neighborhoods.
A reorganization of the bus network will be carried out to complement the West-East line with facilitated tram-bus connections, some of which will be on the same platform, notably for Californie Avenue.
