Friday, 30 September 2011

Be lazy in Nice and take the tram.

Tram line 2 plans revealed for 2016-2017

found this at www.RivieraTimes.com

Concrete plans for Nice’s second tramway were unveiled yesterday, with an elaborate underground transport network that should be up and running by the end of 2017.
Completion of the new tramway 2 is expected between 2016 and 2017
The new tramway will run underground for 3.2km of the route
After the success of Tramline 1, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe, Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi and members of Nice Côte d’Azur urban development gathered at the Palais Acropolis to confirm plans for the next phase. Tramline 2 will run from the port, westwards to the Arénas business district and to Nice Côte d’Azur airport.

With 19 stations spanning across 11.3 kilometers, the city’s newest development will provide transport towards both terminals of the airport with the construction of the Saint-Augustin terminal. At least four of the tram stops are to be built underground, in a bid to keep disruption and traffic congestion to a minimum. Each tram is expected to hold 300 passengers, transporting a daily average of 105,000 people towards the second busiest airport in France.

Mr Estrosi said he is extremely enthusiastic about the plans, describing the end result as “a green ribbon on the city of Nice”. “This is a building project which I hope will be almost pain-free for the city centre. There shouldn’t be any real effect on traffic, pedestrians and businesses during the construction phases,” he declared.

By the end of 2012, works will begin on the underground stations and the tunnel. Come mid 2014, most of the ground level construction will take place with all trams and stations expected to be completed by the end of 2014. The whole system is expected to be in operation by 2017.

In an attempt to keep its green promise, 77,000m² of grass will be planted along Tramline 2, with 2,400 additional trees. The extended tramline will also decrease pollution considerably, impacting upon the 800 buses that pass along the Promenade des Anglais each day. There will be a new ‘park and ride’ scheme, with the introduction of 850 new parking spots to replace the 450 spaces that will be lost during construction.

With total costs weighing in at 758.7 million euros, the extension of the tramline aims to eventually provide 60% of residents and 150,000 workers quick and easy access to tram facilities.
Louise Kirby

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