Béziers station: boost on the construction site of the multimodal exchange hub

“SNCF Gares et Connexions” organized a visit to the station site this Wednesday July 17. Antonia Jimenez – Midi Libre

“SNCF Gares et Connexions” organized a visit to the station site this Wednesday, July 17. Antonia Jimenez – Midi Libre

“SNCF Gares et Connexions” a organisé une visite du site de la gare ce mercredi 17 juillet. Antonia Jimenez – Midi Libre

"SNCF Stations and connections" organized a visit to the construction site of the multimodal exchange and accessibility hub of Béziers station this Wednesday, July 17, in the presence, among others, of the sub-prefect Jacques Lucbéreilh and the mayor and president of Agglo Robert Ménard.

The users of Béziers station have clearly seen and understood: the renewal of the site, which will become a "multimodal exchange hub" (PEM) is well underway. The first demolitions have taken place, others are underway for work started in September 2023 which could be completed next year if all goes well.< /p>

"The completion of this work constitutes a key stage of the project to reconnect the station to the two districts which are the city center, on the Plateau des Poètes side, and the Port-neuf quay, behind", underlined Maxime Assier de Pompignan, Occitanie SNCF Gares et Connexions investment director, converted into a guide during the visit organized this Wednesday, July 17, by the SNCF. Attended, among others, the sub-prefect Jacques Lucbéreilh, the mayor and president of Agglo, Robert Ménard, Hilaire Hautem, the deputy regional director SNCF Gares et Connexions, and Issam Smie, the director of the project.

A large-scale project of 47 million euros

"This large-scale project, for a total of 47 million euros, is 53 % financed by the City and the Urban Area, specified Robert Ménard, the rest being distributed between the Region (24%), the State (11%), the SNCF (11%) and the Department (1). ;%).

Current car park, north square, station buildings, old goods hall Sernam… Everything has been redesigned on a site of more than 5 hectares to erect and/or develop modern infrastructures, accessible (in particular to people with reduced mobility) and adapted to current and future mobility challenges, from the Occitanie region.

"The Béziers multimodal exchange hub will, in the long term, be a place where different modes of transport will connect: train, cars, buses, bikes… to facilitate travel for all users. It also constitutes a concrete step forward for the future Montpellier-Perpignan high-speed line", recalled Maxime Assier de Pompignan.

At the heart of the station’s accessibility, a 90m long footbridge

The visit and its various stops highlighted the major developments to come. First of all, a 90 m long footbridge, an element that is both concrete and symbolic, which will thus create an urban connection between the north (the city center) and the south of the city (quay Port-Neuf) thanks to the pedestrian crossing of the railway tracks. It will integrate four high-capacity elevators, to provide people with reduced mobility with access to all station platforms and the south square.

The current underpass, which serves the platforms, is preserved, becoming a secondary passage. It will be completely renovated, just like the platforms brought up to standard, with, as the investment director pointed out, "redesign of the coverings, installation of awareness strip tactile vigilance (for blind and visually impaired people, Editor's note), renewal of furniture, new lighting, video surveillance…"

The foundations of the footbridge, on both sides of the railway tracks and on the platforms, have been dug. Two first elements of the work are waiting on the site. Others must be delivered. The next important stage of construction of the footbridge will take place in November, with the actual installation of the decks and assembly. Its opening to the public is scheduled for mid-2025.

In parallel with the developments and constructions, numerous road works, carried out by the Agglo, have started on Boulevard de Verdun (north side) and Rue du Lieutenant-Pasquet (south side, Quai Port-Neuf). These two lanes will also be much widened, with a cycle path, for smoother traffic that residents of Biterrois and visitors should appreciate.

A bus station, a drop-off point, two halls, a large car park… What are the future developments ?

Beziers station and its surroundings will enter a new era. On the north square (on the Boulevard de Verdun side), the bus station will be installed in place of the current parking lot. It will ultimately include 19 bus platforms for 31 lines. The buildings on the site are being demolished.

A drop-off point (18 spaces for cars and motorcycles), reserved for short parking lots, is also planned, at the foot of the northern access to the footbridge (on the Boulevard de Verdun side). Furthermore, the configuration of this station entrance will constitute a natural extension of the Plateau des Poètes, with the creation of a new monumental staircase to link the two sites. The entrance hall, also redesigned for more space for travelers with an enlarged waiting room, but fewer counters, will be completed with a second hall (instead of the former bar-restaurant).

Finally, the restoration of the Sernam hangars (which the elders knew well), which houses a very beautiful wooden frame, is starting this summer, in collaboration with the Architecte des Bâtiments de France . They will become a car park with 320 spaces for cars, to which will be added 78 secure spaces for bicycles and 25 spaces for motorized two-wheelers.

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