Flic-en-Flac Bypass: A 4.8 km Road Project Estimated at Around Rs 1 Billion Under Study
A 4.8 km bypass project between Xavier and Pierrefonds, estimated to cost around Rs 1 billion, is currently undergoing an environmental impact assessment to improve traffic flow towards the West.
Mauritius's road infrastructure is poised to take a significant step forward. The Road Development Authority (RDA) officially submitted its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the Ministry of Environment at the end of last week for a major project linking Xavier to Pierrefonds. The document outlines the construction of a bypass extending 4.8 kilometers, with projected costs ranging from Rs 950 million to Rs 1.4 billion.
This project is part of the government's strategy to establish an East-West corridor aimed at enhancing connectivity between the island's center and the coastal region of the West. The proposed route will connect the Black River Road (A3) at Xavier to the new La Vigie–La Brasserie–Beaux Songes road in Pierrefonds, which is currently under construction.
The project includes the construction of a single-lane main road that may be widened to a dual carriageway later, along with several related features: a grade-separated interchange at Xavier, three roundabouts, a culvert approximately 75 meters above the Rivière du Rempart, elevated sidewalks, a bicycle lane, drainage systems, as well as road safety and lighting equipment.
The impact study conducted by VYYAASS Consulting Engineer Ltd complies with the requirements of the Environment Protection Act of 2002 and international standards, highlighting both positive and negative effects.
Alleviating Palma Road Congestion
According to the non-technical summary of the EIA, the infrastructure will be primarily built on agricultural land owned by the Médine group, covering a total area of about 207 acres. The nearest residential areas are Xavier, Cascavelle, and Beaux Songes, which are expected to benefit directly from the project in terms of accessibility. Ultimately, it should reduce travel time towards the West and help alleviate congestion on Palma Road (B2), which is currently heavily used.
The report emphasizes a broader economic impact, improving accessibility to major tourist areas such as Flic-en-Flac, Tamarin, or Le Morne. It also anticipates an increase in land value for the affected agricultural lands, potentially encouraging real estate and commercial development. Conversely, a loss of agricultural land is expected, along with a possible decline in activity for some small businesses located along the B2.
From an environmental perspective, the main identified negative impacts relate to the construction phase, including noise disturbances, dust emissions, and solid waste production. A change in the aesthetic landscape is also anticipated during the operational phase. However, the report notes that these effects can be mitigated through appropriate measures, such as installing stormwater drainage systems, landscaping efforts, and utilizing dust control devices.
The route does not cross ecologically sensitive areas, except for the crossing of the Rivière du Rempart, for which specific measures are planned to limit impacts on the aquatic environment. The study also notes that most of the route is located on already harvested sugarcane fields, thereby minimizing effects on flora and fauna.
On the socio-economic front, the project is expected to generate approximately 70 direct jobs during the construction phase, as well as indirect benefits for small businesses, particularly in sectors related to construction work.
Finally, the EIA examines the option of not proceeding with the project, concluding that this would limit economic development and traffic flow in the Western region.
After its analysis, the report concludes that the identified environmental impacts can be managed through appropriate mitigation measures. It finds that the project meets land use planning requirements and presents "all guarantees" for implementation, subject to obtaining the necessary permits and complying with conditions set by the relevant authorities.