SYSTRA at the heart of the transformation of the Anne-de Bretagne Bridge in Nantes
SYSTRA is supporting the Nantes Metropolis for the transformation of the Anne-de-Bretagne Bridge into an iconic public space, the foundation stone of which was laid on May 23.
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A veritable ‘garden-belvedere’ overlooking the Loire, this bridge will house two new tram lines, promote soft mobility, and incorporate a strong ecological dimension, thanks to sustainable design solutions implemented from the outset of the project.
In partnership with the architectural firm Barriquand&Frydlender, Cerema, and Coudray, SYSTRA has been providing general and technical project management assistance for the Nantes Metropolis public space department since 2019. The project spans the feasibility study and programme phases to construction monitoring and completion. It also includes project management, technical monitoring, BIM deployment, regulatory procedures, environmental and sustainable design monitoring, interface, risk and schedule management.
The Anne-de-Bretagne Bridge: a structure transformed into a green public space combining sustainable design and innovation
The Anne-de-Bretagne Bridge, a key axis between the Île-de-Nantes and the city centre, is being reinvented as an iconic public space. Originally conceived as a ‘bridge-square’, it will become a ‘garden-belvedere bridge’ over the Loire, promoting new urban uses, soft mobility, and access to the future University Hospital, while blending harmoniously into the Nantes landscape.
This ambitious project combines innovation and ecological transition. On the one hand, the widening of the bridge, with a new structure to the west and the lowering of the existing bridge, with exceptional dimensions ranging from 52 to 60 metres wide, allows for soft mobility and the insertion of two new tram lines. Furthermore, the new green spaces on the bridge and the banks are intended to recreate the ecological link with the existing banks and, ultimately, connect the city’s large green spaces. They also address the climate challenges of tomorrow, particularly in terms of user comfort and heat island reduction.
Advised by SYSTRA, the Anne-de-Bretagne Bridge project also incorporates a significant sustainable design component, emphasising greening and biodiversity, as well as reducing construction impacts and conserving resources. The project thus displays several ambitions: vegetation should tend towards 30% of the surface of the structure, an optimised design reducing impacts, the reuse of materials, river supply and logistics reducing noise and carbon impact.
The proposals of the design/build consortium led by GTM Ouest thus save 6,000 tons of CO2, notably thanks to the reuse of the existing bridge, which avoided the destruction of 4,250 tons of concrete and 1,300 tons of steel, and the supply of the new deck, entirely prefabricated, by barge from Italy.
"Faced with climate challenges and the imperative to reduce carbon emissions, SYSTRA supports cities and regions towards more sustainable mobility thanks to its expertise in sustainable design. The Anne-de-Bretagne Bridge is a concrete example of this: by integrating innovative and environmentally friendly solutions, it is shaping the city of tomorrow. The Nantes Metropolis, a pioneer in transport development and sustainable urban planning, is a region of innovation where SYSTRA is proud to contribute its expertise."
Eric de Balincourt, CEO of SYSTRA France
SYSTRA and the Nantes Metropolis: a historic and enduring partnership
Present in Nantes for over 40 years, SYSTRA has supported the metropolitan area in its major transformations in mobility and urban planning. From providing comprehensive support for the creation of France’s first modern tramway, which entered service in 1985, to current projects such as the transformation of the Anne-de-Bretagne Bridge, SYSTRA is a key partner in innovation and sustainability for the region.
Its expertise has been demonstrated in the Metropolis through emblematic achievements such as the Nantes – Châteaubriant tram-train line, the renewal of the Nantes-État, Nantes-Blottereau railway network, the bypass of the Donges refinery, the extension of tram line 3, but also the development of numerous cycle routes including the ‘Magistrale A’ axis currently under construction, the completion of urban development projects and consultation on wind turbine and energy transition projects.
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