Motorists in Île-de-France are facing a particularly tough morning this Wednesday. In just a matter of minutes, conditions across the entire Paris region’s road network have deteriorated rapidly. Winter weather is severely disrupting travel and forcing authorities to implement extraordinary measures to safeguard road users.
Between 8:00 and 9:20 this morning, congestion jumped from 50 km to more than 900 km of slowdowns in the region, according to data from Sytadin. A dramatic surge that highlights the scale of the trouble motorists are facing on Île-de-France roads. The Hauts-de-Seine, Yvelines, and Essonne departments are especially hard hit by these disruptions.
The situation is all the more complicated because the Paris police prefecture has decided to close the N118 in both directions, between Les Ulis and Sèvres. This closure of the N118 is a preventive measure in response to weather conditions that have rendered the road dangerous. This major artery, which normally links the A10 to the A86, is a daily thoroughfare for thousands of motorists.
In Seine-et-Marne, the A104 inner-direction carriageway has been closed since the N3 near Villeparisis. This stretch of the Francilienne, which normally allows you to bypass Paris via the northeast, is now completely cut off, forcing motorists to take detours that are often at capacity. In Val-de-Marne, it is the N19 toward the provinces that is closed at Boissy-Saint-Léger, further complicating travel for those needing to reach the southeast of Île-de-France.
Public transport hasn’t escaped these harsh conditions. The RATP has had to decide to halt its bus lines until further notice. This bus service disruption further complicates travel for Île-de-France residents who were counting on these alternatives to avoid driving.
If you must travel today, you’re strongly advised to check Sytadin before you head out and to expect a significantly longer journey. Opt for remote work if your job allows it, and postponem non-essential trips. Authorities urge extreme caution on the roads and call drivers to adjust their driving to the weather conditions. To follow developments in real time, visit the site of the préfecture de police de Paris which regularly posts information on traffic conditions and any new closures.
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