Discover the commitments behind the Canal
Find here the structural commitments of the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe and the project partners.
Discover the commitments behind the Canal
Find here the structural commitments of the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe and the project partners.
To preserve the natural environment of the Somme Valley, between Cléry-sur-Somme, Biaches and Péronne, the Seine-Nord Europe Canal will cross this area via the Somme Canal Bridge. An ambitious structure of 1,330 meters – the longest in Europe – with a water width of 34 meters.
A key consideration in the canal's design was the preservation of its rich natural ecosystem, which guided the construction of this structure. Specifically, the canal bridge will be situated approximately 30 meters above the river. Only its support piers will require construction in the valley bottom. This will preserve the wetlands and maintain the natural flow of the Somme, particularly during periods of flooding.
A remarkable feat of engineering, the construction of the Canal Bridge will require four years of work, starting in 2027. It will be accompanied by a vast program of environmental improvements in the valley, covering 270 hectares and already underway, including the restoration of woodlands. Featuring 4.5-meter-wide sidewalks on either side, it is designed to integrate seamlessly into the daily lives of local residents , allowing pedestrians and other forms of active transportation to cross and connecting with hiking trails.
An emblem of the region, much like the Millau Viaduct is for Occitanie, the Somme Canal Bridge will showcase the natural sites of this valley . Through discovery sites, trails, birdwatching routes, cycle paths, and fishing areas, visitors and local residents will be able to rediscover the protected natural environment of their valley. These Natura 2000 sites are of great heritage value, thanks to the exceptional flora and fauna they shelter. The Somme Canal Bridge, an extraordinary structure, will become the symbol of the technical and environmental challenges met by this "project of the century . "
This is the length of the Somme Canal Bridge which will span the Cléry-sur-Somme site
