Egis Participates in Landmark Somme Canal Aqueduct Infrastructure Project Supporting European Inland Waterways

©Lavigne Chéron Architectes 2026

(IN BRIEF) Egis and its design partners will participate in the development of the Somme Canal Aqueduct after the Canalieau consortium led by Bouygues Travaux Publics secured a €440 million contract from Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe. The project includes a 3.1-kilometre canal section featuring a 1.3-kilometre aqueduct rising about 30 metres above the Somme valley and forming a key component of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal. The structure will support low-carbon inland freight transport while incorporating public access features such as pedestrian and cycling routes and observation areas. Extensive environmental measures, including woodland creation and wetland restoration, will ensure the project integrates into the surrounding landscape while enhancing biodiversity.

(PRESS RELEASE) GUYANCOURT, 26-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Egis, the global architecture, consulting, engineering, operations and mobility services group, together with design partners SBE, ISL Ingénierie, Lavigne Chéron Architectes and Signes Paysages, will contribute to the design of the Somme Canal Aqueduct, a major infrastructure project forming part of the future Seine-Nord Europe Canal, following the award of a design-and-build contract to the Canalieau consortium led by Bouygues Travaux Publics, a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction.

The Canalieau consortium includes Bouygues Travaux Publics as lead contractor alongside Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France and Razel-Bec. The design team, coordinated jointly by Egis and its partners, will work with engineering expert Michel Virlogeux to deliver a structure that ensures uninterrupted canal navigation while respecting the environmental and landscape characteristics of the Somme valley.

The Somme Canal Aqueduct will enable the canal to cross the Somme valley while maintaining navigability and preserving the natural features of the site. In addition to serving as a transport link for inland waterway traffic, the structure will also be accessible to the public and designed as a destination for visitors.

The project includes the construction of a 3.1-kilometre canal section, incorporating approximately 1.33 kilometres of aqueduct, two approach basins and stretches of standard canal alignment. The contract also covers environmental and landscape integration measures designed to ensure the successful incorporation of the structure into its surroundings.

Strategic Infrastructure for the Seine-Nord Europe Canal

The Somme Canal Aqueduct represents a critical element of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal, which will connect major European inland waterway networks. The structure will measure approximately 1.3 kilometres in length and 45 metres in width, rising about 30 metres above the Somme valley. The project will support the expansion of inland freight transport and contribute to reducing carbon emissions through the development of more sustainable logistics solutions.

Public Access and Visitor Experience

The aqueduct will be designed to allow public access and enhance the attractiveness of the Somme valley for visitors. Planned features include pedestrian and cycling routes approximately 4.5 metres wide that will connect with existing local pathways. Observation points overlooking the valley and accessible entry areas will allow visitors to experience the site while ensuring inclusive access.

The project is expected to create a new destination for walkers and visitors while serving as a key transport infrastructure.

Environmental Integration Measures

Environmental protection and biodiversity enhancement are central aspects of the project design. The works will include the creation of more than 7.5 hectares of woodland and planted areas, along with the restoration or development of approximately 15 hectares of meadows and wetlands using locally adapted species.

Additional measures will include wildlife protection during construction as well as vegetation relocation and replanting activities. These actions are intended to ensure the structure integrates harmoniously into the Somme valley ecosystem.

Architectural and Engineering Concept

The architectural concept emphasizes discreet integration within the landscape. The aqueduct will extend across the valley as a continuous line between water and sky, forming an elevated structure that offers wide views of the surrounding environment.

Concrete has been selected as the primary construction material because of its structural performance and durability. The use of in-situ casting will also support local employment and economic activity during construction.

Project Scope and Value

The Somme Canal Aqueduct project represents an investment exceeding €440 million.

Construction responsibilities are divided between:

• Bouygues Travaux Publics and Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France – €295.2 million

• Razel-Bec – €126.5 million

Design services valued at €18.7 million will be delivered by:

• Egis

• SBE

• ISL Ingénierie

• Lavigne Chéron Architectes

• Signes Paysages

ABOUT BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION
Bouygues Construction employs 35,600 people around the world, all driven by the greatest and most exciting responsibility of all – building for life. In more than 50 countries, we improve daily life for millions of people by creating structures and buildings that serve life and address all our needs: shelter, healthcare, education, work, entertainment, travel, access to lowcarbon energy, etc. At every stage of a project, we put all our expertise and our experience into designing, renovating and building differently so that we can meet the critical imperatives of the environmental transition and achieve construction that is sustainable and less resource-intensive. Every day, we make sure that everyone is safe, and that human rights and ethical standards are respected. Committed to strong values, the men and women of Bouygues Construction work passionately alongside their customers and partners so that our footprint becomes ever more positive. In 2024, Bouygues Construction generated sales of €10.3 billion.

PRESS CONTACTS
Candice Broche +33 7 6082 6022 – c.broche@bouygues-construction.com
Céline Badet +33 6 9982 3567 – c.badet@bouygues-construction.com
Find all our news on https://mediaroom.bouygues-construction.com

ABOUT BOUYGUES TRAVAUX PUBLICS REGIONS FRANCE
Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France is a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction. It employs 900 people, all driven by the greatest and most exciting responsibility of all – building for life Operating throughout France, Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France does much more than just build structures; it builds places, connections and opportunities. With a sense of responsibility towards future generations, Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France innovates every day, designing, renovating and building sustainably, optimising materials and designs for a reduced carbon footprint. Bouygues Travaux Publics Régions France supports the development of sustainable infrastructure
and facilities, contributing to a resilient and connected region.

ABOUT SBE
SBE is a multidisciplinary engineering company with over 35 years of experience in delivering future-oriented, technically sound solutions. By combining civil, architectural and electromechanical engineering, we provide integrated expertise across the full project lifecycle. Through our core disciplines (Port, River & Hydraulic Engineering; Civil Engineering & Infrastructure; Urbanism & Design; Industry & Buildings; Electromechanics) we take on roles ranging from integral designer to project manager, guiding projects from feasibility studies and concept design to execution and completion. Our focus is on constructability, sustainability and efficiency. With a team of engineers, BIM engineers and (landscape) architects, we execute complex projects including (moveable) bridges, tunnels, locks, quay walls and large-scale infrastructure works. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures technical excellence, integrated solutions and smooth collaboration with all stakeholders. Knowledge sharing and innovation are central to our work.

ABOUT ISL
ISL Ingénierie is a French engineering firm with renowned expertise in the safety of hydraulic structures, particularly dams and dykes. The company assists project owners in the public and private sectors with risk assessment, regulatory studies, structural diagnostics and the definition of construction and reinforcement programmes for river infrastructure. An independent, employee-owned company, ISL Ingénierie employs 140 people who are committed to customer focus, technical rigour and environmental responsibility. Its teams of highly qualified engineers and experts ensure responsiveness, quality of execution and operational excellence.

ISL Ingénierie is committed to the principles of sustainable development and overall performance. The company is dedicated to designing responsible projects that combine technical excellence, cost control and respect for local areas.

ABOUT SIGNES PAYSAGES
With over 35 years of experience, Signes Paysages boasts a wealth of references in land-use planning, specialising in Parks & Gardens, Urban Planning, Mobility and Territory. Our Landscape Designers, Urban Planners, Graphic Designers, and Architects all share the same passion for design, fostering social connections and shaping everyday life, all dedicated to our landscapes and environment. Signes Paysages works in multidisciplinary teams to actively and effectively meet the expectations of both public and private clients, addressing the specific challenges of each context and project. With our two offices in Paris and Bordeaux, we operate throughout France and internationally, guided by the same values of commitment and kindness.

PRESS CONTACT
Sébastien Forzy +33 6 8304 5927 – contact@signes-paysages.fr
Find all our news and references on https://signes-paysages.fr

ABOUT LAVIGNE CHERON ARCHITECTES
Lavigne Chéron Architects, or ‘Architecture and Engineering Structures’, specialises in the architecture of engineering structures, major civil engineering works (roads, motorways, railways, public transport, maritime and river structures) and urban development.

The firm’s practice is based on the principle of imagining new structures and architectural and urban solutions adapted to current issues. Our approach is both concrete and poetic. Our designs are always guided by structural truth and honesty in the way we work, while seeking to enhance their expressiveness and visual impact.

Through its experience with complex projects, the firm has developed a personal approach to the cross-disciplinary nature of architectural design. This approach is based on the importance placed on simplicity and clarity in the presentation of concepts, thereby promoting architectural quality and formal unity throughout the life of the project and among stakeholders in the construction process.

ABOUT RAZEL-BEC
Razel-Bec, a subsidiary of the Fayat Group – the leading independent construction group in France and worldwide leader in road equipment, is a recognized expert in all areas of public works: civil engineering and engineering structures, linear infrastructure and earthworks, underground works, industrial and nuclear civil engineering, dams, the environment, and urban and ecological engineering. Its 5,000 employees work in France and internationally to provide clear-sighted and inventive responses to the current and specific challenges of public works. For more than 140 years, they have put their heart into their work every day, making Razel-Bec a human and collective adventure.

PRESS CONTACT
Céline Gronon +33 6 8017 1562 – c.gronon@razel-bec.fayat.com

ABOUT EGIS
Egis is a leading global architectural, consulting, construction engineering, operations and mobility services firm. We create and operate intelligent infrastructure and buildings that both respond to the climate emergency and contribute to balanced, sustainable and resilient development.

Our 22,000 employees operate across over 70 countries, deploying their expertise to develop and deliver cutting-edge innovations and solutions for clients. Through the wide range of our activities, we are central to the collective organization of society and the living environment of citizens all over the world.

ABOUT THE SEINE-NORD EUROPE CANAL
The Seine-Nord Europe Canal ia a major regional development project that combines technical performance, environmental protection and safety. It will connect Compiègne in the Oise department to Aubencheul-au-Bac in the Nord department by 2032. This wide-gauge canal, which is 107 kilometres long and 54 metres wide, is an essential link in the Seine-Scheldt river connection, which will connect the French network to 20,000 km of European waterways. It will facilitate the growth of river transport, which is an eco-friendly alternative for freight transport and enhancing the competitiveness of production and regional appeal. This major project represents an investment of more than €7 billion, financed by the European Union, France and the local authorities that run the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe (SCSNE), the public institution responsible for project management.

SOURCE: Egis