The Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe has awarded the contract for the design/build of the Somme Canal Aqueduct.
The US$21.78 million design contract will be the responsibility of Egis, SBE, ISL Ingénierie, Lavigne Chéron Architectes and Signes Paysages, supported by Michel Virlogeux.
Construction will be carried out by Bouygues Travaux Publics as consortium leader, Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France and Razel-Bec under a US$512.39 million contract.
Constructed in concrete and cast on site, the Somme Canal Aqueduct will be 1.3km long, rising 30m above the valley. It will be open to the public, with pedestrian and cycle paths and observation points.
Impression of the proposed Somme Valley Aqueduct. Credit: Egis/Lavigne Chéron Architects
The contract includes 3.1km of canal alignment as well as two approach basins. The structure will be part of the future Seine-Nord Europe Canal, which will link Europe’s major river basins.
According to the brief by Lavigne Chéron Architects, “More than a mere structure, it will be a place of life and reflection, where human ingenuity will recede to offer a serene invitation to contemplation.”
