Bordeaux: Pont de Pierre Bridge Closed to Trams All Summer, Disruptions Explained

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Pont de Pierre bridge in Bordeaux with construction work and a tram, TBM network disrupted during summer 2026
Pont de Pierre construction work in Bordeaux, TBM tram network disruptions

In Bordeaux, summer 2026 will be remembered for months of construction work on one of the city's most iconic landmarks: the Pont de Pierre. From June 23 to August 28, this historic bridge spanning the Garonne River is closed to tram traffic, forcing residents and visitors to rethink their travel habits right in the middle of tourist season.

Two Tram Lines Suspended Until Late August

The construction project, which follows reinforcement work carried out in 2025, directly affects two key lines of the TBM (Transports Bordeaux Métropole, the Bordeaux metro area's transit network):

  • The line A, suspended between the Stalingrad and Sainte-Catherine stations;
  • The line E, suspended between Stalingrad and Quinconces.

Lines C, D, and F, meanwhile, continue running normally on their usual routes, which limits the impact to riders crossing the Garonne at this specific point in the network.

Shuttle Buses to Keep Service Running

To make up for this gap, TBM has set up shuttle buses for lines A and E, which cross the Saint-Jean bridge to connect both banks and serve the stations located on either side of the Garonne. This solution inevitably lengthens travel times for many regular tram riders, especially during rush hour.

A Second Wave of Works from August 10 to 21

On top of this main project, an additional phase of work on the ground-level power supply rails (APS) will temporarily disrupt other sections of the network:

  • The line B, suspended from August 10 to 14 between Quinconces and the Musée d'Aquitaine;
  • The lines C, D, and F, suspended from August 17 to 21 between Quinconces and the Saint-Michel area.

This tight schedule, falling right in the middle of August, coincides with a peak in tourist traffic in downtown Bordeaux, which is why the metro area is asking riders to be especially careful.

What This Means for Riders

To ease the inconvenience, TBM is offering a “Pont de Pierre Works Train Pass” (“Pass Trains Travaux Pont de Pierre”), priced at 23 euros, which gives holders of an annual TBM pass unlimited access to TER regional trains within the metro area through August 31. It's an alternative designed for commuters in the metro area who want to avoid transferring to shuttle buses.

Beyond the immediate inconvenience, this project illustrates a recurring challenge for major French metro areas: maintaining aging transportation infrastructure without bringing the city to a lasting standstill, especially when the work falls right in the middle of the summer tourist season.

Find more local news in our Transportation section, or explore our pages dedicated to Practical Life and News / Information to keep up with transportation network changes in France.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the Pont de Pierre remain closed to trams in Bordeaux?

The main construction work on the Pont de Pierre runs from June 23 to August 28, 2026, with tram lines A and E suspended throughout that period.

How can you cross the Garonne during the construction work?

TBM has set up shuttle buses for lines A and E that cross the Saint-Jean bridge to connect both banks, serving the stations normally linked by the tram.

Are other tram lines affected in August?

Yes, additional work on the power supply rails also disrupts line B from August 10 to 14, and then lines C, D, and F from August 17 to 21, over more limited sections of the network.

Sources

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. Editorial policy