Further ban on combustion engines in Lyon - environmental lane to be extended in both directions
The A6 motorway will lose a lane at the entrance to Lyon, which may then only be used by certain vehicles. This is the result of preparatory work that began on 5 February 2024 to widen the existing lane (M6). The work is taking place at the junction of the A89 and the A6 (Limonest) north of Lyon and should be completed by 2 March 2024.
The extension of the lane for carpools, public transport and vehicles with very low emissions is intended to improve traffic flow, reduce pollution and lower noise pollution. Once the construction work is completed in a few months, the carpool lane can be used by authorised vehicles. This includes vehicles with at least two occupants, vehicles with a French 0 environmental badge and taxis. The 0 sticker is only available to vehicles with an electric or water drive.
The creation of carpool lanes is nothing new in Greater Lyon. At the end of 2023, such a lane was set up on the A7 between Ternay and Feyzin. It is only active from Monday to Friday between 7am and 9.30am and also serves to improve traffic flow and reduce pollution. When the lane is activated, the speed is reduced to 50 km/h.
This measure is part of the process initiated by the DIR Centre-Est (Directions Interdépartementales des Routes) to improve mobility between Lyon and Saint-Étienne. The A7 motorway in the south of Greater Lyon is used by more than 100,000 vehicles every day and the new lane should help to reduce the congestion that regularly occurs.
With the introduction of the carpool lane, the speed limit on this motorway has also been lowered. The maximum speed is now 90 km/h instead of the previous 110 km/h. The 3.3 million euro project is being financed by the state. It remains to be seen whether this measure will actually help to alleviate traffic problems in the region and reduce environmental pollution.