Loire-Atlantique Roads: €9M Investment for 2024 Repairs & 7 Major Projects

The French government will invest €9 million in 2026 to renovate and maintain 280 kilometers of national roads in the Loire-Atlantique region, according to the Direction Interdépartementale des Routes (DIR) Ouest.

The investment aims to ensure a “reliable and efficient network” for both commuters and local residents, the DIR Ouest stated. The agency emphasized the demand for regular vigilance and continuous modernization due to the high traffic volume on certain sections of the road network.

This year’s funding represents a decrease from the €16 million allocated in 2025 for road maintenance and improvements in Loire-Atlantique. In 2025, eleven major projects were undertaken, including renovations to the Cheviré bridge’s waterproofing, according to the DIR Ouest.

The 2026 program will focus on seven key projects, primarily centered on road surface renovations. These renovations are intended to improve driving comfort, extend the lifespan of the infrastructure, and enhance safety through improved signage and protective measures. The DIR Ouest stated that work likely to disrupt traffic will be scheduled outside of peak travel periods.

Despite these efforts, the DIR Ouest cautioned that some projects will inevitably cause significant disruptions due to technical constraints or their location on strategic routes. Additional, unscheduled interventions may too be necessary depending on the evolving condition of the network.

The planned projects include:

• Savenay, RN 165 (Rennes-Nantes axis): 3 km of road surface renovation, safety features, and signage improvements, scheduled from March 15th to April 30th. Average daily traffic: 34,000 vehicles.
• Orvault, RN 165 (2×2 lane axis): 2 km of road surface renovation on each side of the highway, safety features, and signage improvements, scheduled from May 18th to June 21st. Average daily traffic: 39,000 vehicles.
• Tillières, RN 249 (Nantes-Cholet axis): 2 km of road surface renovation, safety features, and signage improvements, scheduled from May 26th to June 12th. Average daily traffic: 33,000 vehicles.
• Nantes, inner ring road: 4 km of road surface renovation, safety features, and signage improvements, scheduled from June 3rd to October 3rd. Average daily traffic: 33,000 vehicles.
• La Séguinière, RN 249 (Cholet-Nantes axis): 3 km of road surface renovation, safety features, and signage improvements, scheduled from July 13th to August 31st. Average daily traffic: 30,000 vehicles.
• La Grigonnais, RN 137 (Rennes-Nantes axis): 1.5 km of road surface renovation, safety features, and signage improvements, scheduled from July 20th to August 27th. Average daily traffic: 33,000 vehicles.
• Treillières, RN 137 (Rennes-Nantes axis): 4 km of road surface renovation, safety features, and signage improvements, scheduled from August 24th to October 9th. Average daily traffic: 33,000 vehicles.

The DIR Ouest stressed the importance of shared vigilance, urging drivers to respect signage, maintain safe distances, and adhere to posted speed limits. The agency also highlighted the need for caution during traffic shifts, lane reductions, and nighttime interventions.