Somme Canal Bridge: detailed design begins!

The Somme Canal Bridge is an emblematic structure of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal on which boats will navigate to cross the Somme valley between Cléry-sur-Somme, Biaches and Péronne. The detailed design of this work begins now, with the launch of the design-build procedure (COREA).

The Somme Canal Bridge, an emblematic structure

The route of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal crosses the Somme valley between Cléry-sur-Somme, Biaches and Péronne. The preservation of this natural environment of great ecological wealth is a major challenge in the design and construction of the Canal.

A structure that responds to the strong environmental challenge

Crossing the Somme valley by means of a Canal Bridge reduces the development to be carried out at the bottom of the valley (limited to batteries), thus preserves the wetlands and does not obstruct the natural flow of the Somme, in particular during periods of flooding. It is in itself a very strong environmental ambition of the project.

The structure will be 1330 meters long and will be located approximately 30 meters above the river. Its width will be approximately 45 meters (34 meters for the body of water), with sidewalks of 4,50 meters on each side to allow pedestrians and other soft mobility to cross. Find the infographic of the Somme Canal Bridge in the appendix.

A structure designed to blend into the landscape

The Pont-Canal spans the secret and preserved valley of the Somme, near Cléry-sur-Somme. It will be designed to fit into the larger landscape. Landscape integration is a strong requirement vis-à-vis the companies that will design and build it:

It will span the marshes, ponds and wooded areas of the Somme valley, between Cléry-sur-Somme, Biaches and Péronne. It will best preserve the spaces and the fauna and flora of the Valley.
Despite its exceptional dimensions, it will play discreetly and blend into its environment. It will also offer breathtaking views of the valley, from the service roads on either side accessible to the public.

A work at the service of the territory

The Pont-Canal will create jobs: beyond the hundreds of jobs created during the project, by its attractiveness it will allow the development of the tourist offer in the Somme. The creation of a House of the Canal and Nature is already being studied by the local authorities.

The Pont-Canal will be at the service of the living environment and the mobility of local residents: the pedestrian and cycle paths envisaged on the service roads of the Pont-Canal will allow the inhabitants to rediscover and better enjoy the natural heritage of their valley.

The choice of a competitive dialogue to co-construct

The Somme Canal Bridge is an emblematic structure of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal. It is exceptional in its size and location. The Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe (SCSNE), in a process of dialogue with companies, has chosen a competitive dialogue procedure for its design and construction.

Find the online market here.

A 3-step procedure

This procedure, which will last until 2024, is planned in 3 phases:

The application phase : from now on, companies have until June 27 to apply. Then a selection of 4 candidates will be made in September 2022.
The exchange phase: for approximately 15 months, the SCSNE and the successful candidates will participate in a first stage of dialogue which will allow the program to be optimised. Then on the basis of these discussions, a stage of exchanges and workshops during which the candidates will propose their solutions will take place until the end of the year 2023. At the end of this dialogue phase, the candidates will be invited to submit their offer.
The final phase : the SCSNE will analyze these offers and the notification of this design-build contract will take place in September 2024.

The winner will finalize the design studies and begin construction of the Somme Canal Bridge in 2025, until 2028.

A procedure guided by the SCSNE Purchasing Policy

The choice of a competitive dialogue procedure was made in conjunction with the companies, but it was also guided by the SCSNE Purchasing Policy, the real backbone of the project. Adopted on 1^er October 2020 by its Supervisory Board, the Purchasing Policy invites candidate companies to become partners in the sustainable transformation of territories. Several measures have therefore been planned, including:

A sourcing process carried out in 2021 with economic operators in public works in order to inform them of the needs of the SCSNE, assess the capacity of the market to respond to them and gather their opinions to draw lessons for the consultation to be launched,
The integration into the market of a clause imposing on groups of companies that a share of at least 15% of the services of design and construction are entrusted to small and medium-sized enterprises. This requirement is also a candidate selection criterion,
The integration into the market of a integration clause through economic activity (CIAE) which leads companies to be actors in the integration of people far from employment, with a commitment in terms of hours to achieve.