The Fourvière traffic jam has become a symbol, almost a given, that many dream of seeing disappear. Thirty-five years after the unfulfilled promises of Michel Noir, the duo Véronique Sarselli – Jean-Michel Aulas intends to make a strong impact. Their proposal marks the first major joint announcement of the polling favorite team for the 2026 municipal and metropolitan elections: to build a new tunnel to ease one of the most congested routes in France, as explained by Le Progrès in an exclusive interview.
A bold vision in the face of anti-car dogma
Where environmentalists denounce the vacuum effect of new road infrastructures, the Grand Cœur Lyonnais list takes the opposite stance. For the Sarselli-Aulas duo, it’s not about encouraging cars, but about addressing a structural problem that p&.Daily analytics of the residents, professionals, and the attractiveness of the area. It’s a bold move, almost old-school, in a Lyon debate that has largely been dominated in recent years by reducing the space for cars.
Funding is a key issue, and the duo isn’t shy about it. Véronique Sarselli clearly mentions the search for European funds and state financing, believing that the utility of such a tunnel goes far beyond the borders of the Lyon Metropolis. The idea of a toll is also on the table, though not decided, just to keep the door open for a mixed economic model.
A promise rich in symbols for 2026
Jean-Michel Aulas is already comparing the project to the adventure of the Groupama Stadium. According to him, this tunnel could spark a real battle among major players in construction and infrastructure, inthe framework of a public-private partnership. It promises around 5,000 jobs over ten years and a "considerable growth opportunity" for the Lyon area.
By directly tackling the Fourvière traffic jam, Sarselli and Aulas are reigniting an old dream in Lyon and putting mobility at the heart of the campaign. The big question is whether this XXL promise will be seen as visionary… or as a high-risk gamble in a metropolis already deeply divided on transportation issues.
Source: Le Progrès