The dossier for line 2 of the Nice tramway, which will enable the East-West connection in 2017, is progressing well with the signing of the agreement between the Metropolis and the Caisse de Dépôt et Consignation for its financing and the presentation of the maintenance center and parking project, located in the Nikaia palace area, which will be fundamental tools for the logistics of the operation.
In order: the project for line 2 is estimated at €650 million (we’ll see the exact figure at the end of the works). In addition to internal funds, various state aids (€52.5 million) from the PACA Region, the Alpes-Maritimes Department, and the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, the Nice Metropolis has resorted, as usual, to two long-term financings. A first tranche of €250 million was granted by the EIB (European Investment Bank).
Yesterday, it was the turn of the CDC to sign its agreement with the Metropolis: €250 million financing over 30 years at a very favorable rate* (and yes, money isn’t expensive!), making the debt amount compatible with the indebtedness of the metropolitan community.
With the tank filled with fresh money, the infrastructure investment engine can run at full speed to achieve this segment of the urban mobility policy, and in this case, inter-urban.
The goal – says Christian Estrosi – is the reduction of 20,000 cars entering Nice through the west-east axis.
Second announcement: the choice of the maintenance center project located next to the Nikaia and the Charles Ehrmann Sports Park, a true counterpart to the Las Planas center for line 1.
The jury awarded it to the consortium composed of the Bordeaux architecture and urban planning agency Brochet-Lajus-Pueyo, the In Situ urban planning firm from Nice, and the agencies Ingérop Méditerranée and LS52.
The references of the first, who will lead the project, are more than commendable due to its experience in the Bordeaux tram project, considered a success in the field.
The amount of the expenditures is €30 million, between €4.38 million for project management and €25 million for the construction work costs.
Photo credit: Philippe Viglietti (City of Nice)
