concrete needs of the daily life of Mont-Saint-Michel,” Mr. Beauvais says.
Its approach to stakeholder management has paid o;: Construction of the
parking lots, reception facilities and pedestrian footbridge was completed on
schedule in 2014. ;is year, old structures (including the causeway) will be
deconstructed, and areas a;ected by construction will be restored.
;e project’s ;nal stage will commence post-2015 with the use of hydro-sedimentary lasers to measure silt and sedimentation around the Mont. “A new
phase will begin after 2015: monitoring of work, whether from an environmental point of view or in terms of operation and maintenance,” Mr. Beauvais says.
Teamwork Turns the Tide
Last July, crews completed the footbridge nearly connecting Mont-Saint-Michel
to the mainland. One hundred and twenty meters (393 feet) from the Mont’s
main entrance, visitors encounter a ford that can be traversed only during low
tide—the same way crossings were made in the 8th century. Just a few weeks
later, exceptionally high tides turned the Mont into an island for the ;rst time
in more than 130 years.
;e momentous occasion—when sea ;nally kissed sea again—was the product of technical problem solving, certainly. Mostly, though, the project’s success
was a result of teamwork, according to Mr. Beauvais.
“;e project’s di;erent partners meet regularly as a steering committee on
all topics,” Mr. Beauvais says. “;ese meetings bring together all the partners
involved around the same table. As the project’s owner, the Syndicat Mixte
delivers progress reports. It’s these meetings and the technical committees aris-
ing therefrom that solve the technical problems encountered.”
Just as important, the steering committee addressed cultural problems. “;e local
project managers stayed abreast of the needs of residents of Mont-Saint-Michel.
;is has been essential,” Mr. Beauvais continues. “;e fact that all local political
partners are involved has really helped to maintain dialogue so that all needs were
taken into account throughout these 20 years of study and construction.” PM
1969: The
French build
another dam
to protect
local farmland
from high
tides.
1995: The
French government commits
to restoring the
Mont’s maritime character,
beginning a
10-year study
and project
planning phase.
2005: With
financial backing
from the European
Union, the project
kicks off.
2009: Work on the dam
across the Couesnon River
concludes, and desilting
of the seabed around the
Mont commences.
2014: Construction of
a pedestrian footbridge
and mainland parking lots and reception
facilities is completed.
2015: The causeway connecting
the Mont to the
mainland will be
demolished.
1900 2000
The fact that all local
political partners are
involved has really
helped to maintain
dialogue so that all
needs were taken into
account throughout
these 20 years of study
and construction.”
—Laurent Beauvais
