The future west tunnel of the Mathis route is almost ready. In April 2025, it will be opened to motorists. It is expected to relieve the heavy traffic in the Saint-Augustin area. This Wednesday, a construction site visit attracted around a hundred curious people.
This massive project, launched three years ago, is nearing completion. Starting next April, the 850-meter tunnel connecting the former Saint-Augustin station to the intersection of Rue Nicot de Villemain will allow direct access to the A8 highway and the Grenoble road, saving up to 10 minutes during peak hours. This underground passage is expected to reduce traffic on Avenue Grinda, thereby removing 20,000 vehicles daily from downtown roads.
This Wednesday, the residents of Nice were able to see the progress of the construction. Another visit is scheduled for Saturday, November 16 at 11 AM. The remaining upgrades mainly concern safety, water drainage, and paving certain sections. The total cost of this project amounts to 185 million euros. According to Emmanuel Petiot, Deputy General Director of Major Projects and Transport of the Metropolis, the construction using a cut-and-cover method has been a technical challenge, quite different from the deep tunnel tramway work.
This tunnel could indeed resolve the “nightmare traffic jam” described by the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi. Ultimately, the improved connection to the A8 will have positive effects throughout the city. Although the tunnel exit currently remains 300 meters away from the Nice-Ouest interchange, a future phase of work is expected to connect it directly to the highway network.