A key French road bypass project will now cost more than previously expected – image courtesy of © Daniel Kaesler, Dreamstime.com
Cost increases are now impacting on the project to construct a new bypass in Vienne in France. The Lussac-les-Châteaux bypass is now expected to come with a pricetag of €143 million, a considerable increase from the €98 million originally envisaged. Construction should commence in 2022 and take until 2026 to complete.
One of the reasons for the increase in the cost of construction is that a viaduct spanning the Vienne River will now measure 620m instead of the 580m as planned originally. Two other viaducts are being built as part of the project and will measure around 200m each.
A number of technical challenges are posed by the chosen alignment as it passes through areas that have been quarried. These will require structural remediation works that have also contributed to the cost increases for the work.
Financing for the work is being provided jointly by the authorities in Vienne, the region and the French Government.
