The South Region launches an ambitious regeneration program for the Nice-Breil-sur-Roya railway line. The work, lasting more than a year, will begin in September 2024. The goal: to ensure the safety, comfort, and regularity of the service.
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region has just announced an investment of 78.1 million euros for the modernization and regeneration of the Nice-Breil-sur-Roya railway line. This work, which will span from September 2, 2024, to December 14, 2025, aims to save this strategic line for the Roya Valley. The interventions will strengthen the infrastructure, improve the transport service, and guarantee better comfort for travelers.
An extensive project for the sustainability of the line
The Nice-Breil-sur-Roya railway line is essential for the residents of the valley, connecting isolated territories to the city of Nice. To ensure the sustainability and safety of this line, the South Region has decided to invest massively. The work aims to reinforce the many engineering structures and improve the stability of the tracks. This will not only secure the transportation of users but also protect this vital infrastructure against climate hazards.
Concrete improvements for users
One of the main objectives of this modernization program is to increase the train service. By the end of the work, it’s planned that one TER per hour, per direction, will run between Drap and Breil. As well as two TERs per hour between Nice and Drap. This increase of 46% in transport service will be accompanied by a notable improvement in traveler comfort thanks to the renewal of equipment and modernization of infrastructures. These changes aim to make the service more reliable and regular.
A necessary closure for better service
The closure of the line between September 2024 and December 2025, although temporary, is considered necessary by the regional authorities. The complexity of the work, especially due to the large number of tunnels to be renovated, justifies this decision. According to the authorities, this closure will ensure the efficiency and speed of the work, as opposed to a partial closure which could prolong the timeline.
Significant financial support for the success of the project
The total cost of the work amounts to 78.1 million euros, with an additional approximately 8 million euros for the transport substitution system. The South Region is funding this project with 56.5 million euros, with participation from the State, SNCF Réseau, the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, as well as the Communauté d’Agglomération de la Riviera Française and the Communauté de Communes du Pays des Paillons.
Renaud Muselier, president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, emphasized the importance of this investment: “The Region has always been alongside the residents of the Roya. […] It’s actions like the modernization work of the Nice-Breil line that allow us today to save and modernize a vital line for the Valley and its inhabitants.“
