An article announcing 185 km of roads in the Ile-de-France region reserved only for accredited vehicles for the Olympic Games, during the 2 months of the event, caused a strong reaction on social networks. This slightly misleading title, accompanied by the map of the roads concerned, is enough for motorists in the Ile-de-France region to fear the worst.
The article published on February 14 on France 3 Paris Ile-de-France quickly caused chain reactions on social media. The cause of this excitement is based on its title: “ MAP. Paris 2024 Olympic Games: 185 km of roads exclusively reserved for accredited persons. »
The article has since been edited several times and its title was changed on February 15 at 1 p.m. to avoid confusion. However, it remains quite possible that information captures and sharing on the networks will continue on the basis of this title. This is information to be taken with a grain of salt.
Even if it is premature to affirm that there will be no closure of the motorways or the Parisian ring road during the holding of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it is wrong to suggest that these axes, very borrowed by the Ile-de-France residents, will be completely inaccessible throughout the period of the Olympic Games.
Reserved lanes rather than entire axes closed
The decree of May 4, 2022 defines the tracks and portions of tracks concerned by traffic reserved for certain vehicles in connection with the Olympic Games organized in Paris in 2024. This concerns 185 km of tracks distributed within the perimeter of Greater Paris. Among the many axes mentioned in the decree, we find in particular several sections of the ring road, the A1, A13, A4 motorways and many other axes very busy on a daily basis. You can view the full list of channels concerned in the decree. The immediate surroundings of the competition sites will, however, have restricted access.
On these major roads, one or more traffic lanes could be reserved for vehicles accredited for the Olympic Games between 6 a.m. and midnight. The idea is to ensure fixed travel times for all athletes and event officials. These routes should be clearly identified by specific signage. After the Olympics, it is envisaged that some of these lanes will become “legacy lanes”, which would then be dedicated to public transport and/or carpooling, but this is still only at the project stage.
The lanes could resemble what already exists on the A6 for public transport and taxis, on the A1 for taxis or the A4 with the auxiliary lane. It is not a question of completely closing highways during the day for the duration of the period stretching from July 1 to September 15, 2024.
Local decisions that will depend on the prefecture
The traffic rules will be defined by the prefecture according to the fluidity needs necessary for the holding of the events, the direction of the roads of Île-de-France told us.
It is not impossible that certain sections may be closed from time to time. But it will not normally be a permanent blockage of all these axes simultaneously between 6 a.m. and midnight, as some motorists have unfortunately understood, already very worried about the situation.
The Île-de-France roads department reminded us that such a system had already been put in place during the COP21. The device had recommended avoiding travel as much as possible during the two days when the heads of state were required to circulate.
For the sake of fluidity, restrictions had been imposed on certain routes taken by the representatives of many countries, to get to airports for example.
Traffic jams in perspective and carpooling to be preferred
More precise information will probably be formulated closer to the event. Cycling and public transport will certainly be the most suitable means of getting around in the heart of the capital.
For the rest of the region, despite the summer period, there will inevitably be many traffic jams. The authorities will most certainly invite motorists to favor carpooling and to reduce their journeys as much as possible.
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