After last autumn's disruptions and reductions in traffic, major disruptions are once again expected on Île-de-France's transport network in February 2025. The reason? Work to replace the Saint-Denis railway bridge, built of puddled iron in 1894. In order to " maintain the quality of service of the North beam lines ", this 130-year-old bridge is to be replaced by a new structure, dubbed the"Cathedral Bridge". With a record span of 143 m, it will be the longest railway bridge in Europe for this type of structure (Warren). Commissioning is scheduled for August 2025.
But to make this possible, the Prefecture of the Île-de-France region has announced the implementation of works, " carried out for the 'launching' stage of this new cathedral bridge ". The consequences? Major disruptions are expected on RER lines B and D, as well as on Transilien lines H and K, from Friday February 14 to Monday February 17, and from Friday February 21 to Monday February 24, 2025.
" This stage includes technical constraints requiring an intervention that will have a significant impact on the northern axis transport network ", warns the Préfecture de police de Paris.
So, what exactly can we expect during this construction period? On RER line B, the interconnection will be suspended at Gare du Nord, all day until the end of service, from Friday February 14 to Monday February 17, 2025 (inclusive) and then from Friday February 21 to Monday February 24, 2025 inclusive. It will therefore be necessary to change trains between the underground and surface tracks at Gare du Nord.
Trains to CDG2 airport and Mitry-Claye will depart from surface tracks 32 and 33 (Hall 3). Trains to Robinson and Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse will depart from the underground tracks, track 44.
Transilien SNCF is alsoannouncing a " lighter transport plan and a risk of heavy crowding in stations and on board trains ". " On working days: expect an average of 9 trains per hour on the north of the line and 12 trains per hour on the south of the line, as well as additional missions to and from Denfert-Rochereau," warns RER B on its blog. Wherever possible, Transilien SNCF is asking passengers to postpone their journeys or plan for longer journey times, particularly on Friday February 14, Monday February 17, Friday February 21 and Monday February 24.
If you're planning to travel to Charles de Gaulle Airport, Transilien SNCF recommends that passengers take the Roissybus from RER A, Auber station, particularly on Friday February 14, Monday February 17, Friday February 21 and Monday February 24.
On RER line D, no RER D will run between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon, in either direction, on the weekends of February 15 and 16 and February 22 and 23, 2025.
In detail, to the south of the line, trains from Corbeil-Essonnes and Melun will terminate at Paris Gare de Lyon souterraine, Paris Gare de Lyon Surface or Châtelet-les-Halles. To the north of the line, trains from and to Orry-la-Ville and Goussainville will terminate at or depart from Paris Gare du Nord surface, and will not stop at Stade de France - Saint-Denis station.
In addition, from Saturday February 15 to Sunday February 16, and from Saturday February 22 to Sunday February 23, the Le Vert de Maisons, Créteil Pompadour and Villeneuve Triage stops will not be served in either direction. In addition, the Maisons Alfort - Alfortville stop will not be served in the direction of Villeneuve Saint-Georges.
The same work will also have an impact on traffic on Transilien lines H and K. Also expect heavy traffic on line 4 of the Paris metro.
On Transilien line H, traffic will be reduced on Fridays February 14 and 21, and Mondays February 17 and 24, 2025. On the whole of line H, train frequencies and timetables will be modified.
On the Transilien K line, traffic will be interrupted between Paris Gare du Nord and Aulnay-sous-Bois on Fridays February 14 and 21, Saturdays February 15 and 22, Sundays February 16 and 23 and Mondays February 17 and 24 2025. "If you are unable to postpone your journey, SNCF Transilien invites you to take the RER B between Paris Gare du Nord and Aulnay-sous-Bois, then a K line train between Aulnay-sous-Bois and Crépy en Valois", it adds.
Official website
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