The dramatic weather events that occurred this weekend in the Alpes-Maritimes have reignited the debate on the East-West tramway tunnel project. This is, in any case, what both Patrick Allemand and Olivier Bettati are calling for on behalf of their respective parties.
Both are calling for a halt to the ongoing work and additional studies to be conducted by independent experts to consider extreme situations such as those that occurred between Biot and Mandelieu.
Is this a matter we thought was permanently settled, with no risk of returning to the forefront of discussions?
Let us not forget that the underground East-West tramway line was the main focus of Christian Estrosi’s electoral campaign in 2014: will he make the decision and take the subsequent risk to move forward without flinching?
In fact, since this past weekend, many things have changed, and nothing is the same as before.
Patrick Allemand has released a letter addressed to Christian Estrosi in which he writes: “Indeed, to assume that Nice could not be affected by such a phenomenon would be irresponsible. I have therefore asked the Deputy Mayor to publicly disclose the assumptions of precipitation that were considered for the calculation of rainwater management and evacuation measures in the context of the underground tramway works.”
And following that: “I have also requested that studies considering exceptional precipitation of around 200 mm or more be conducted and that, pending the results, the works be suspended.”
During a press briefing, Olivier Bettati also addressed this issue, focusing on the technical aspects of the situation: the crossing of the tunnel between Victor Hugo and Jean Médecin is the lowest point in the city relative to the sea (6 meters): the station and tunnel would be ideal channels for rainwater drainage, with easily imaginable consequences.
During the last electoral campaign (municipal 2014), Christian Estrosi’s opponent highlighted studies by Professor Gilli that offered a negative opinion on the tunnel’s safety. The Mayor of Nice, backed by other opinions, decided to ignore them.
Olivier Bettati will therefore present a proposal at the next Municipal and Metropolitan Councils to “hold the majority elected officials accountable.”
Finally, the Victor Hugo collective, already opposed to the tunnel, feels supported by the intervention of two scientists, Magali Reghezza (Director of Studies at ENS) and Alain Bourdin (International Journal of Urbanism), on the most recent episode of “C’est dans l’air” (France 5) last Monday, during which they stated that there is a substantial risk associated with the construction of an underground tramway in Nice, especially concerning flood and seismic risks.
We can imagine that initiatives will be taken publicly, taking advantage of a different public opinion climate.
In fact, given the new circumstances, this is a matter that risks becoming a heated issue.
