Grand Chambéry continues the maintenance of its infrastructure dedicated to active mobility. During the summer of 2026, two footbridges underwent renovation work: the Sablons footbridge, connecting La Ravoire and Saint-Alban-Leysse, and the Armand Challe footbridge, located in the industrial zone of Grand Verger in Chambéry, which spans the Hyères river.
These structures play a crucial role in the continuity of the conurbation's cycling network. The Sablons footbridge ensures the connection to Blue Route n° 4, while the Armand Challe footbridge links to Blue Route n° 1.
The work involved replacing the old wooden decking with metal trays covered by an anti-slip resin. The Sablons footbridge also received anti-corrosion treatment and replacement of certain structural elements.
This new decking offers several advantages: enhanced safety due to a uniform and non-slip surface that limits slipping risks, especially in wet conditions; improved circulation comfort with no gaps, facilitating passage for bicycles, scooters, rollerblades, and strollers, as well as for people using canes or wearing heeled shoes; reduced noise pollution thanks to decreased vibrations and rolling sounds, particularly appreciated by residents near the Sablons footbridge; and better resistance to damage, notably superior fire resistance compared to traditional wood.
This technical solution, progressively implemented by Grand Chambéry since 2020, has an expected lifespan of at least 20 years, thus limiting maintenance operations and preserving the structures over time.
The total cost of the work amounts to €280,000, awarded to the company CAN Ouvrages d’Arts following a competitive bidding process. Beyond renovating two facilities, this operation helps maintain continuous, practical, and safe cycling and pedestrian routes between the communes and neighborhoods of the conurbation.
“"Improving daily mobility also means taking care of the infrastructure that residents use every day. With the renovation of the Sablons and Armand Challe footbridges, we are strengthening the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, while offering more comfortable and durable facilities."
The renovation of these footbridges is part of Grand Chambéry's cycling policy, which aims to improve existing facilities and support the development of cycling travel.
Key figures for the cycling network include 9 Blue Routes in the area, 111.1 km of cycling facilities in 2025, 6,613 bicycles rented in 2025, and 4,306,293 trips recorded on cycling facilities in 2025. Cycling accounts for 7% of trips in the Grand Chambéry territory (EMD 2022), with a +38% increase in cycle path usage between 2019 and 2025. A budget of €1.6 million is allocated to cycling policy in 2025.
