Lyon’s Rhône Riverbank Project Faces Scrutiny Ahead of 2026 Vote
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A major urban redevelopment plan for the right bank of the Rhône River in Lyon is increasingly becoming a focal point of political debate as the city approaches its 2026 municipal elections. The ambitious project, spearheaded by the environmentalist president of the Metropolis of Lyon, Bruno Bernard, is facing criticism from political opponents who question its funding, planning, and timing.
Political Battle Lines Drawn
The controversy surrounding the Rhône Riverbank project intensified recently as Jean-Michel Aulas,a candidate in the upcoming 2026 municipal elections,publicly challenged the plan. Aulas,the former president of Olympique Lyonnais,leveled accusations that the project is an “electoral proposal” arriving late in the current mandate without secured funding. He also questioned the extent of public consultation, despite evidence of prior engagement.
“this project makes no sense as it stands,” aulas declared, while also expressing support for a broader “reconquest of the banks of the Rhône” – a vision he says requires stronger management, expertise, and financial backing. He specifically asserted that no consultation had taken place, a claim that contrasts with a consultation held in 2021 and a regulatory public inquiry conducted in the summer of 2025.
Bernard Defends Project’s Readiness
Despite the criticism, Bruno Bernard remains steadfast in his commitment to the project. On December 12th, he stated that the initiative – described as “the most important public space project in recent years” – is poised to begin in the spring or summer of 2026, contingent upon approval by the new executive team. Bernard confidently affirmed, “Everything is ready,” positioning the project’s realization as a key political objective amidst the escalating electoral campaign.
Project Details and Proposed Changes
The Right Bank project, initially slated to begin in the summer of 2025, aims to significantly reshape the area by reducing the number of traffic lanes from approximately ten in some locations to a maximum of four. This reduction in roadway capacity will facilitate the installation of Voie Lyonnaise No. 6, a key component of the city’s cycling infrastructure. Pedestrians are also set to benefit from a more than 75% increase in travel space, and buses will gain access to 1.7 km of dedicated track.
Concerns Over Transparency and Impact
Véronique Sarselli, a candidate in the metropolitan elections representing Grand Coeur Lyonnais, echoed Aulas’s concerns, labeling the project as “window dressing.” She argued that the plan lacks sufficient impact studies and appears to have materialized “as if by magic” at the end of the current mandate without adequate preparation.
“We all know how to produce lovely images. You cannot reach out to the population with this type of project without having carried out impact studies,” Sarselli stated. Aulas similarly supported this view,emphasizing the perceived lack of transparency and planning.
A Deliberate Delay for Voter Input?
The project’s launch was initially considered as early as February or March, but Bernard opted for a delay, citing a desire to allow voters to weigh in on the plan. “I consider it democratically essential that the choice be offered to voters,” he explained on December 12th. Notably, the project was not included in the environmentalists’ platform during their election in 2020, adding another layer to the political debate.
The future of Lyon’s right bank remains uncertain, with the project’s fate now inextricably linked to the outcome of the 2026 municipal elections and the evolving priorities of the city’s leadership.
