During the night of Tuesday, October 27th to Wednesday, October 28th, a construction site in the Juvisy sector, between Athis-Mons and Juvisy, experienced an incident. An excavator tipped over on the side of the track, damaging a drainage channel containing signaling cables near track 2 bis. These installations are essential for train circulation.
The consequences were felt from the start of service on Wednesday, October 28th, requiring significant adjustments to the transport plan, particularly during the morning rush hour. The damaged signaling cables transmit crucial information for managing routes and ensuring driver safety.
Due to these damages, circulation restrictions were imposed. Trains passing through the affected area had to reduce their speed, slowing down traffic and decreasing the number of possible services. Route and service modifications were also necessary on several branches of the RER C, notably affecting the stations of Athis-Mons, Ablon, and Villeneuve-le-Roi towards Paris.
The operation to remove the excavator was complex, as it was resting on the damaged drainage channel. The lifting operation, scheduled for the night of Wednesday, October 28th to Thursday, October 29th, required specific equipment to avoid further damage.
Thanks to the intervention of technical teams during the night, the installations were able to be put back into service sooner than initially expected. Service restrictions were lifted by 5:03 AM on Thursday, October 29th, and normal traffic resumed across the entire C line at 5:30 AM, despite some minor adjustments still being needed in the early morning.
This incident highlights the potential impact of a construction site accident on railway operations, where preserving infrastructure and ensuring safety are paramount.
