This Saturday at Cros d’Utelle, Eric Ciotti, Deputy, President of the Finance Commission of the Department of Alpes-Maritimes, representing Charles Ange Ginésy, President of the Department of Alpes-Maritimes, presented the departmental plan for the reconstruction of the hiking trails damaged since the storm Alex, in the presence of many Mayors from the valleys of Vésubie, Tinée, and Var.
Given the magnitude of the disaster that affected the valleys of Vésubie, Roya, Tinée, Moyen Var, and Estéron, all routes potentially impacted by the storms of October 2 and 3, 2020, were surveyed by the Department’s hiking technicians during field reconnaissance carried out from October 9 to December 4, 2020.
Presentation of the reconstruction plan
A significant number of trails, registered in the Departmental Plan of Hiking and Walking Routes (PDIPR), were heavily damaged, with the following assessment at this stage:
- Over 1,100 km of affected trails, with more than 400 km in the core area of the Mercantour National Park.
- 51 bridges destroyed either completely or partially, including 15 in the core area.
- 11 damaged bridges, including 4 in the core area.
This field visit was the opportunity to present the resources mobilized and actions undertaken by the Department of Alpes-Maritimes concerning the operations within the framework of the departmental reconstruction plan. This Plan was illustrated with the commencement of works on the GR5 at the level of the Cros d’Utelle bridge, where 24 km of trails were impacted, as well as 2 major structures (Cros bridge and the metal footbridge on the GR5).
On this occasion, the departmental council announced the deployment of reinforcements in addition to departmental agents mobilized for the reconstruction: two additional hiking technicians to strengthen the engineering missions, and 14 seasonal workers over eight months to reinforce, within the Force 06 service, the maintenance interventions of trails registered in the PDIPR, and participate in the restoration of the trails.
In total, there are 70 departmental agents working on this challenge.
Words from Eric Ciotti
“We have an exceptional territory with an extraordinary natural asset that must be valued. This diverse, rich, high-quality territory offers access to landscapes with multiple facets which have unfortunately been very hard-hit by storm Alex.
About 20% of the departmental network of hiking trails have been damaged, including major routes such as the GRs and particularly the Great Crossing of Mercantour, the GR5, the Randoxygène guides routes, and the access to strategic tourist trails of the Vallée des Merveilles and the Cougourde refuge.
This challenge led the Department of Alpes-Maritimes, through its President Charles Ange Ginésy, to launch this vast reconstruction plan by strengthening its human, material, and financial resources. We are determined to rebuild as quickly as possible by immediately undertaking colossal works. The objective is to be able to reopen as many trails as possible before this summer.
The Department will continue actively refining the network of hiking trails and nature activities for the greatest enjoyment of the Azuréens and visitors who, in these times of crisis, are eager to fully rediscover the opportunities of a ‘normal’ life. With Charles Ange Ginésy, we remain fully committed to the reconstruction of our devastated valleys.”
