The deck for Nantes’ new Pont Anne de Bretagne has been routed to the port of Lorient for temporary shelter, with the final tow toward Nantes on hold until conditions on the Loire improve. The barge carrying the structure will remain in Lorient while the river flow stays too high to handle a convoy of this size safely, following exceptionally heavy rainfall.
On 25 February, Nantes Métropole and GTM Ouest said the convoy will resume its route as soon as navigation conditions on the Loire allow. They added that work on the Pont Anne de Bretagne project continues, with certain activities originally planned after deck placement being carried out in advance.
The decision follows launch operations completed on the morning of 25 February. After a lengthy period of adverse weather, the semi-submersible vessel Trustee re-floated the barge supporting the deck. The vessel had previously remained sheltered behind Belle-Île for about a week due to poor weather before proceeding.
Following the re-float, the barge was directed to nearby Lorient before it is to be towed east toward the Loire estuary and the final leg to Nantes.
Source: Mer Et Marine