The Société du Grand Paris (SGP) opens the doors of more than 40 construction sites

40 construction sites open to the public on 16 October 2021!

24 September 2021 Off By Nicolas Dreuillet

On Saturday 16 October, the Société du Grand Paris (SGP) will open the doors of more than 40 construction sites to the public on the occasion of the christening of the tunnel boring machine for line 18-1.

40 construction sites opened by the SGP

Although the Grand Paris Express is mobilising all our companies, the public is only aware of the inconveniences that the construction sites can sometimes present. There is no better way to approach the complexity of such works and their future uses than to visit them. This is what SGP seems to think, as it organises (guided) open houses on more than 40 current construction sites (about 150 are currently active).

These meetings, entitled “KM”, symbolising the lengths to be covered in the tunnel before the Grand Paris Express is brought into service, are an opportunity to bring together workers and residents. This is a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of these projects and to meet the people involved.

Careful organisation to avoid accidents

Welcoming visitors to active construction sites is no easy task! Careful organisation is required!
The teams are therefore working to find the best access to the site and to mark out the routes. A map will be sent to each registered visitor. Even if the routes are protected, the visit takes place on a building site and it is advisable to be properly equipped: clothes that can withstand exposure to mud and dust, comfortable shoes. On arrival, you will be reminded of the basic safety rules and specific rules that must not be broken. For example, stay with the group, don’t touch anything, watch where you put your feet…

We must not disturb the companions who are at work!

The visits are supervised by “SGP ambassadors”. They last one hour, are 25 minutes apart and will include about twenty visitors. It is therefore necessary to manage the flow of visitors in such a way as not to disturb the workers. Educational panels will be put up at the beginning of the day and removed in the evening. The places used for explanations will be carefully chosen so as not to expose visitors and will offer panoramic views of the work sites. Some sites, such as the Bagneux station, offer optimum access conditions and, in addition, a viewpoint on the roof of the base camp. Other sites, such as Arcueil-Cachan station, are more limited or less advanced and do not really allow access to the heart of the construction site.

In the evening, a big party to celebrate the naming of the second tunnel boring machine on line 18-1

On the occasion of the start of the second tunnel boring machine of line 18, the Société du Grand Paris is opening the doors of the Massy construction site where digging will begin at 6 pm with a spectacular artistic evening. The name of the tunnel boring machine will be revealed during this party… and this will be followed by a traditional “gigot bitume”.

Don’t forget to register! here

Photo (C) Société du Grand Paris/Leticia Pontual

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