the Lyon bypass

Freight and passenger traffic is growing rapidly within the Lyon area. The configuration of the current network means that nearly all freight trains travelling north-south have to pass through the centre of town, on the same lines as those used to provide the daily Regional Express and High Speed services.
 

This project has five priority goals:

Structuring the Rhône-Alps region, by filling out the railway network:

existing lines between the north (Lyon – Ambérieu en Bugey) and the south (Lyon – Grenoble),
future lines (southern branch of the Rhin-Rhône High Speed Line and the Lyon-Turin link),

Offering a north/south route with guaranteed service quality for freight traffic, connecting the Mediterranean arc to Benelux, with features such as the Lyon bypass to decongest the network,
Promoting different modes of transport

By creating reliable infrastructures that offer smooth-running freight services and guarantee quality train paths without delays during peak times,
In favour of trains, a safe method of transport with lower greenhouse gas emissions,

Placing the Rhône-Alps region at the heart of the network and freeing up capacity on the Lyon town centre lines, by taking advantage of its strategic position at the interchange of many transport services, in order to capture the large numbers of people likely to use the trains,
Making it possible to expand TER Regional Express traffic:

By moving freight traffic away from Part Dieu station, thus freeing up more capacity for passenger services,
By implementing a time-phased service with more trains running during peak times,
By making it easier to get to Lyon Saint-Exupéry station from the other main towns throughout the region.

Map of the Lyon bypass (PDF, 2.3 MB)