The first phase of renovation work on the Thiers train station forecourt will begin on February 8th. To inaugurate this new step forward, all the political elite gathered in front of Nice Ville station to explain the stakes of such a financial investment.
Nice Ville station handles 7 million passengers per year, making it the second busiest train station in the south of France. Nearly 16,000 people pass through it every day. It occupies a strategic location at the heart of the city, and its traffic is expected to continue growing (reaching 11 million passengers by 2018). Therefore, the renovation of this station has become a necessity and a priority. Major works will be carried out over the next three years.
First, a forecourt of more than 8,000 m² will be constructed. It will be primarily pedestrianized (47% of users walk to the train station) and will allow taxis and buses to circulate freely. It’s also important to consider that 21% of people travel to the station by tram, which is why this forecourt will facilitate easy access to the nearest station. On this forecourt, there will be Blue Bike and electric car stations, as well as two kiosks to accommodate new businesses. In the west wing, a passenger building and a pedestrian connection between the forecourt and the car parking will be created.
Then, the second phase of this work will involve renovating the station itself.
Inside, the raising of platforms and a footbridge will make access to the platforms easy and pleasant. This footbridge will accommodate the large flows of passengers and will consist of escalators and numerous elevators. In the central hall, the intention is to expand the walking areas to better distribute foot traffic. The entire building will be completely reorganized.
Inside and out, the facilities will be modern, comfortable, and showcase advanced technology.
For deputy mayor Christian Estrosi, it’s also about reclaiming a neighborhood in total decline. And the mayor doesn’t plan to stop there, “Why launch a brand-new forecourt in the heart of the neighborhood if we don’t launch other initiatives to improve it?” It won’t just be the station, but the entire neighborhood, which has been classified as a PNRQAD, that will be modernized in the coming years. “This project is part of an ambitious plan to redevelop downtown Nice, featuring the green corridor, a 12-hectare green lung, as well as the pedestrianization of Jean Médecin Avenue.”
Patrick Allemand is pleased with the project, which he describes as “the result of an exemplary partnership.” For the Vice-President of the PACA Region, it’s also about “promoting public transport awareness, educating a generation.”
On the horizon is the idea of a single card that would allow juggling between all the city’s transports (trains, buses, trams, bikes…). In the coming years, many cars will remain in garages.
Another part of Nice that will change its face!
