How to solve an equation that encompasses the fluidity of urban mobility with the contemporary permanence of public transport, road traffic (private and commercial cars and motorcycles), soft mobility (bicycles), and the beautification of the living environment (pedestrianization and greening)?
This multifaceted equation found an answer with the presentation of the development project for Boulevard Gambetta, initiated a few months ago with the installation of a bike lane in the center of the road, and the launch of a public consultation to which more than 1,200 people responded.
By way of reminder, the Gambetta-Cessole axis, parallel to the Sappia-Massena route along which tram line 1 runs, had been somewhat neglected and had become an alternative route for cars traveling from Nice-north to the Promenade des Anglais, with serious consequences in terms of nuisances.
The proposed plan was divided into three sections: the northern and southern parts of Boulevard Gambetta and the gateway to the Promenade des Anglais.
The first (Bd Garnier and Avenue Thiers):
Automobile traffic will be maintained to allow accessibility to neighborhoods and hills and buses*, a bike lane will be established on the parallel axis Abbé Grégoire/Dabray.
The second (Avenue Thiers/Promenade des Anglais):
- The current bidirectional central bike lane will be repositioned to the side to allow buses to use the two adjacent lanes,
- the sidewalks will be widened, with terrace spaces and greenery installed,
- Franklin Square and Amiral de Grasse Street square will be redeveloped,
The third: Gambetta Boulevard’s gateway onto the Promenade:
- maximum opening of the view towards the sea,
- creation of a serene forecourt,
By the end of 2021, the project will be finalized in detail with consultation with local residents and shopkeepers, and then work can begin with a phased schedule:
- 2022 – mid 2023: work on southern Gambetta and Promenade,
- 2023: commissioning of the BNS bus,
- 2023 – 2024: work on northern Gambetta
“This project is part of a peaceful and enhanced living environment for the sector since the boulevard is at the heart of the goods ZFE zone and the 30km/h zone,” Christian Estrosi commented simply at the end of the presentation.
In language dear to rugby enthusiasts, one might say that the ball has been taken out of the scrum; now it’s time to score the try.
