Nouvelle route du Littoral, Coastal dual carriageway in Réunion, France
The Nouvelle Route du Littoral is a four-lane highway built on viaducts and causeways that spans across the Indian Ocean. It connects Saint-Denis with La Possession by running through a challenging coastal zone where mountains meet the sea.
The road was built starting in 2010 to replace a dangerous coastal route that regularly experienced rockfalls and storm damage. The new route provided a safer link between the two cities and solved decades of transportation challenges on the island.
The road represents Réunion's largest infrastructure project, demonstrating French engineering capabilities in managing complex marine construction projects.
The highway runs over open ocean, offering views of the water and the island's mountainous backdrop from your vehicle. Drivers should know that strong winds or storms can occasionally lead to temporary restrictions on crossing for safety reasons.
At 130 million euros per kilometer, this infrastructure stands as the most expensive road project worldwide, totaling 2.4 billion euros.
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