France’s A13 Paris to Normandy motorway to reopen next week

The A13 Paris to Normandy motorway is to fully reopen over the coming days, it has been announced, avoiding the potential disruption that could have arisen from the road being closed for the start of the 2024 Olympic Games. 

The 5km stretch of the A13 near Vaucresson (Hauts-de-Seine) – closed since April 19 after cracks were discovered on a viaduct – will have a staggered re-opening.

Drivers travelling in the direction of Paris will be able to use the road from Thursday June 20, before it is opened for drivers travelling in the opposite direction on Monday June 24, stated the prefect of the Hauts-de-Seine department. 

The reopening will help decongest other roads around the capital that have been facing increasing levels of traffic as the hundreds of thousands of commuters from the western Parisian suburbs and Normandy have had to find alternative routes to travel to work.

Earlier this month, there were fears the road would not be fully reopened in time for the start of the Olympic Games, with a number of events being held in the Yvelines, most easily reached by car via the A13. 

The road was partially opened on May 10, however just one lane was operational, and only certain vehicles deemed light enough could traverse it.

There is some debate over how the cracks appeared but some believe it is related to the construction of a nearby car park.

Others claim it is due to the generally poor state of France’s roads. 

Read more: State of French roads causing alarm