A road subsidence occurred on Rue de France in Nice due to the construction work on the tramway line 2 tunnel. No casualties have been reported.
The hole is substantial, in the middle of the road, and measures several meters in diameter, with a depth of at least one meter. Traffic has been halted on Rue de France, from Rue Sauvan to Rue des Potiers.
The firefighters are on site, and a safety perimeter has been established.
Companies are working to fill the cavity, which should be completed overnight. Traffic is expected to be restored by the end of the week.
For the city council, it’s not considered “worrisome. This section of the road consists of an unstable mixed soil: limestone, large pebbles, sand, and puddingstone. A cavity likely already existed at this location,” which would explain the issue.
The official statement is “that this is just a minor incident that is not concerning, and the tunnel boring machine continues to make progress on the remaining 120 meters.”
A longstanding opponent of the line 2 tunnel, Patrick Allemand (macrocompatible socialist) did not hesitate to challenge Christian Estrosi (macrocompatible Republican).
“Following the successive subsidence on Victor Hugo and Dubouchage boulevards, the tramway line 2 tunnel boring has caused a spectacular road collapse at the bottom of Franรงois Grosso Boulevard at 90 Rue de France.
This collapse is likely to raise the legitimate concern of residents.
I urge the mayor of Nice for complete transparency so that the reasons for what is, to date, the most serious incident of this construction site are known before work continues.”;
The official was joined by environmentalists, who, through their spokesperson Mari-Luz Hernandez-Nicaise, took the opportunity to renew their opposition to the project: “the subsoil geology is very unfavorable for the construction of a 15-meter-high wall, obstructing the flow of underground watercourses, and prior studies were insufficient. The risks posed to old buildings neighboring the line are already evident from the damage suffered by the buildings neighboring Victor Hugo Boulevard.”
They too insist that the situation should not be concealed: “We demand that technical and financial transparency be genuine, with sincere and regular communication…”
