The A8 motorway (managed by Escota) is a strategic axis for the mobility of the Alpes-Maritimes residents, plagued daily by congestion during peak hours, numerous accidents, and sometimes injuries and fatalities.
For years, the Alpes-Maritimes Department has been requesting, particularly from Escota, the implementation of essential and strategic investments.
The Departmental Assembly has approved the funding for four major operations in connection with departmental roads: the High-Level Service Bus (CHNS) between Villeneuve-Loubet and Antibes, the Mougins interchange, the La Bocca interchange slip road at Cannes/Mandelieu, and studies for the Bréguières interchange at Sophia-Antipolis.
Alongside funding from the State and the PACA Region, the Alpes-Maritimes Departmental Council is committing to a contribution of 14.5 million euros out of the total 57 million euros in investments within a program of operations that will extend from 2021 to 2030.
The first operation aims to improve public transport access to the Sophia Antipolis technology park from Nice via the A8 by developing a reserved lane on a 4 km section in the Nice-Antibes direction for the implementation of a High-Level Service Bus, with preliminary studies initiated by the Department.
The second operation aims to reduce traffic congestion and enhance user safety at the Mougins interchange, a strategic interface between the A8, the Grasse expressway, and the city of Cannes. This involves widening some roads serving the interchange, modifying slip roads, and implementing a traffic light regulation system at junctions located between departmental roads and the A8 slip roads.
The third operation involves the creation of the La Bocca “Les Tourrades” interchange. In the municipalities of Cannes and Mandelieu-La-Napoule, the goal is to create a new access slip road to the A8 from Saint-Exupéry Avenue, allowing to bypass two roundabouts south and north of the A8, thereby easing traffic flow.
The final operation is to launch an opportunity and technical feasibility study to create a new interchange situated between those of Mougins and Antibes at the Bréguières level, aiming to smooth traffic and, in the long term, integrate into the new rail line project.
