Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why is road traffic congested in Marseille?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

View of the old port of Marseille, France, with numerous boats docked in the harbor and the city's terracotta-roofed buildings rising up a hill, topped by the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica. — Marseille Seaside view of the Old Port of Marseille, France.

Road traffic in Marseille is described as severe, presenting a significant challenge for movement within the city. While the city has implemented infrastructure improvements, such as a tunnel beneath the center that connects the northern and eastern highways, congestion remains a persistent issue.1

The city's geography plays a fundamental role in these transportation difficulties. Marseille is situated in a sheltered depression surrounded by hills, which has historically inhibited the development of suburbs and constrained the urban layout. These natural barriers have limited expansion, forcing development to leapfrog toward the eastern shores of the Berre Lagoon and along the Huveaune valley, which creates complex patterns of movement that contribute to the city's traffic pressures.2

To mitigate these challenges, public transportation has been enhanced through the addition of two underground metro lines and a surface tramway that serves portions of the eastern suburbs.1