The Saône is getting ready to welcome a new landmark! The Confluence neighborhood, known for its avant-garde architecture, will soon have a stunning new centerpiece with the arrival of a brand new bridge. Designed to accommodate the future TEOL tramway, as well as a pedestrian and cycling path, this bridge will connect the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon to La Mulatière, on the other side of the river.
Dutch architecture firm OMA has won the competition. Their philosophy is clear: there’s no need to create a bridge that imposes itself at all costs. Far from ostentatious monuments, OMA prefers understated elegance. Their creation blends into the landscape, maintaining a constant dialogue with the lush slopes of La Balme and the stylish urban planning of Confluence. The result: a smooth, integrated bridge, almost chameleon-like.
An essential infrastructure for the express tram
The bridge will be a central piece of the TEOL project, the famous express tram of Western Lyon. Replacing the metro E imagined by ecologists, this semi-buried tramway is expected to connect Montrochet to Tassin-la-Demi-Lune by 2032. The structure will allow the tram to dive directly into the hill on the La Mulatière side. A true technical… and urban achievement.
The planned route includes a passage through Montrochet Street, which could impact traffic. Particularly for drivers, access to the Confluence shopping center parking lot, which is already quite crowded on weekends, might be reconsidered. So, on the practical side, adjustments will be necessary, but in the long run, the promise of smoother tram transportation is quite enticing.
For now, no delivery date or cost of the work has been revealed. But what’s certain is that the project is moving forward, and it could profoundly change the way people travel between Lyon and its western areas. Plus, there will be a new pedestrian spot to cross the Saône, embracing a slow-life vibe.