A 31 bis: In the Moselle, the highway of the future is a business deterrent!

It’s not just tree conservationists who are concerned about highway construction projects. The Lorraine sea serpent of A 31 bis is also harassing businesses around Florinage, north of Metz (Moselle). After Transport Minister Clément Beaune confirmed at the beginning of 2024, the route project for this new 8 km motorway was chosen among four that are located in the Sainte-Agathe craft zone, located in the center of the future interchange. on the outskirts of the current A 30 there are fears of expropriation and work.

“Fifteen years ago they told me: Come and live here! Now they tell me: We’ll have to leave”protests William Pedrini, head of CMI Équipement and president of CAC 140, a club of entrepreneurs in the Fenche Valley. On this stretch of road, already congested by the neighboring A 31 motorway between Lorraine and Luxembourg, the new toll highway will reduce traffic congestion, according to government authorities.

“Let’s see what they offer us as compensation”

“But how? Who will be harmed? When? Or? ” asks a representative of the movement, whose companies represent 600 jobs, irritated by the lack of answers. The population will suffer from major works between Richemont and Thionville, and 18 companies could be expropriated.

The project includes a tunnel over 2 km long to preserve the population of Florin and ease traffic flow south of this busy area. “We will see what compensation they offer us,” continues William Pedrini. But don’t expect to be satisfied with pretty words. » Work on the A 31 bis will begin no earlier than 2029.