Soon, your detours to work, family and friends will be a distant memory! From 2026, a new bicycle bridge, suspended under the François Mitterrand bridge, will reconnect the two banks and close a gap in the Réseau Express Vélo (ReVE). This ambitious project, supported by the French government and Bordeaux Métropole, promises to be a real game changer for bicycle travel!
A long-awaited project: from cutting through to reclaiming cycle paths
Remember that in 1993, when the Pont François Mitterrand (formerly the Pont d’Arcins) was built, a cycle path was integrated into one of the outer lanes of the ring road. A comfort for cyclists, until 2018, when a decision was taken to change habits: to ease car traffic (which still doesn’t prevent traffic jams), the ring road was widened, and with it, the famous cycle path disappeared. As a result , cyclists were forced to use less direct and, above all, less safe bridges to cross the Garonne.
Since then, demand for a new solution has continued to grow, all the more so with the increase in bicycle use in the Bordeaux conurbation, whose modal share rose from 4% to 8% between 2009 and 2021. The idea of a new footbridge therefore emerged as a way of reinforcing the infrastructure on offer.
A suspended structure, practical and aesthetic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHmey8R40Gw
The construction of a stand-alone structure was quickly set aside, as the solution chosen is far more elegant: the footbridge will be suspended under the François Mitterrand bridge. This choice, which is both economical and aesthetic, reduces costs while preserving the landscape. The aim of the project is to provide cyclists and pedestrians with a sheltered route, while limiting the visual impact of this infrastructure on the environment.
With a length of 642 meters and a width of 3 meters, the footbridge will feature an anti-slip surface adapted to local climatic conditions (a thought for these last rainy days) for the safety of all users. But that’s not all! Two belvederes will be built halfway along the route, offering a breathtaking view of Arcins Island. A well-deserved break to admire the scenery (and what a scenery it is)!
To cut a long story short: it’s all inclusive!
An essential link in the Réseau Vélo Express (ReVE) bicycle network
The footbridge will be a key element of the Réseau Vélo Express (ReVE)! It will connect the cycle paths of Bègles and Bouliac, making daily journeys easier for cyclists and pedestrians. It will also offer a safe crossing of the Garonne, a far cry from the compulsory detours of recent years (with a loss in the number of daily steps, but a gain in safety and comfort)! In terms of access, the footbridge will be linked to the facilities on either side of the Garonne: on the right bank, a direct connection from the rue du bord de l’eau in Bouliac, and on the left bank, a link with the ReVE in Bègles, in the Astria district.
An 11.8 million euro project for a structuring structure
The ambition of this project is reflected in its budget: 11.8 million euros, financed in equal parts by the French government and Bordeaux Métropole. Work will start in spring 2025, with commissioning scheduled for autumn 2026.
The new footbridge will be much more than a simple crossing point. It will also be a space for relaxation and conviviality, thanks to belvederes and adapted access, particularly for people with reduced mobility. With this project, Bordeaux Métropole is determined to ensure accessibility and comfort for all. As the use of bicycles increases, it becomes essential to develop infrastructures that encourage soft mobility.
By 2026, cyclists and pedestrians in Bordeaux will finally be able to enjoy a safer, more direct crossing of the Garonne, and the icing on the cake, a breathtaking view of Arcins Island!