As could be easily predicted, the oppositions did not remain silent after the announcement of technical modifications to the ongoing tramway works.
Patrick Allemand (PS), a historic opponent of the underground line, returns to the charge:
“A few days after the revelations about the cost of the Allianz Riviera, the “adjustments” of the tramway confirm the City’s “approximation” when it comes to major works.
The City announces a modification of the underground route to take into account constraints that were forgotten or neglected in the preliminary studies. As we had announced, the underground route is proving full of surprises: compensation for owners for underground rights; underestimated depth of the Marshall Parking infrastructures; the future of the cellars of buildings at the corner of Victor Hugo and rue Guiglia.
Thus, Jardin Alsace Lorraine will be the first victim of these surprises as the station will have to be moved north, encroaching further into the garden, which will be reduced to nearly nothing.
The financial overruns at the stadium and now, the tramway adjustments, seriously cast doubt on the City’s ability to manage major works and raise fears about the final cost of the underground section.
The socialist elected official is supported by an “unusual” ally, Marie Christine Arnautu (FN), who was quick to react:
“The troubles are beginning for tramway line 2… and thus for Christian Estrosi
The collectives, the experts, and even the entire municipal opposition, had forewarned him, but, as usual, Christian Estrosi listened to no one. To those who highlighted geophysical risks, to those who reminded him of the troubles encountered at many points in the city to dig the trench for line 1, to those who pointed out the risk of financial inflation linked to damages that the tunnel would inevitably cause, he could only respond with scorn or smug laughter: nothing new.
Yet here we are: the tramway construction, particularly its underground part, is facing serious difficulties.
That’s an understatement: at Garibaldi, cellars are purchased to consolidate them, at Place Marshall, two pillars are discovered, and the route has to be diverted, at Durandy square buildings need reinforcement, around Gambetta the Alsace-Lorraine stop is moved, and its route is also modified, leading to the acquisition of new plots… Sadly, it is highly likely that this is just the beginning. These setbacks clearly indicate that behind the laughter, it’s mostly a lack of rigor that seems to have presided over the preparation of this project.
Will we end up with a tramway cost nearing a billion as the National Front had already announced throughout the municipal campaign? Indeed, the mayor’s incompetence is costing the people of Nice more each day, and the bill is likely to grow week by week.”
