Opening of the A79

After works lasting two years, the A79, or “La Bourbonnaise” as it is now known, came into service on 4 November and was officially opened on 14 November. The first free-flow toll motorway in France, this major technological and environmental innovation removes the need to stop at toll booths and all the emissions associated with stopping and starting. It also represents the long-awaited answer to the key issue of making this major east-west road link safer.

The almost 300 elected representatives and local stakeholders attending the opening included the Minister Delegate for Transport, Clément Beaune, and Benoît de Ruffray, CEO of the Group. An intense and emotional event, the opening marked the completion of one of Eiffage’s most important design and build projects, featuring a construction site that was exemplary, not only on account of its size, the technical issues and challenges it faced, but also due to the large number of skills mobilised by the Axelia consortium. Completed in two years with no interruption to the traffic, the works moved forward on time thanks to important synergy between the teams and coordination of concurrent activities and various operations conducted simultaneously in order to meet the particularly tight schedules. In line with Eiffage’s commitments, the works also boosted local employment by involving the region’s businesses and workforce.

This construction site will also remain the reference in terms of its integration of the local landscape, with environmental constraints taken into account and respect for biodiversity in the Allier valley, a region where plant and animal life are particularly important.

As planned, Eiffage transferred operation of the A79 to its subsidiary APRR on 4/11/2022 for a term of 46 years.
 
The A79 in figures
88 km - an investment of over 700 million euros - 21 towns and villages passed - 12 interchanges - a services area accessible from the secondary route (RN7) - 3 rest areas - 150 engineering structures - Up to 1200 people at work when the site was busiest - 3,100,000 working hours, 500,000 of which in labour integration schemes - 530 local firms - 48-year concession - 100% funded by the Eiffage group, offset by concession of the operation.