US EditionToulouse Court Approves Resumption of Controversial Motorway Project
- On May 29, 2025, the appellate administrative tribunal in Toulouse authorized the gradual resumption of construction on the 53-kilometre A69 motorway connecting Toulouse and Castres, following a three-month suspension.
- The halt followed a February ruling suspending work due to insufficient public interest justifying the environmental harm, while the appeal court found serious reasons supporting the motorway’s public interest.
- Environmentalists have strongly opposed the project for two years with protests, hunger strikes, and tree occupations, while supporters emphasize the motorway’s importance for improving business and access in Tarn’s Castres-Mazamet area.
- Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot called the decision a “real relief” and said work will resume gradually from mid-June, with vigilance maintained to address environmental protection concerns.
- The resumption may still face challenges since the full appeal is ongoing, opponents warn of risks to project deadlines, and a large demonstration is planned for early July near the construction site.
35 Articles
35 Articles
Toulouse court approves resumption of controversial motorway project
An administrative court in the southern French city of Toulouse on Wednesday ruled that construction work on the Toulouse-Castres motorway can resume from mid-June, after a three-month shutdown. The project has been heavily contested by environmentalists for the last two years.
After months of blockade, the A69 construction site will resume. Between accusations of eco-terrorism and criticism of a flouted "environmental law", the debate is starting again.
Work on controversial autoroute in south-west France to resume after court stay
Construction on the controversial A69 autoroute in south-west France is set to resume next month, in the latest development in the long-running legal battle that makes this France's most contested road.
Administrative justice opens the door to the resumption of work on the A69. The eyes are now turned to the decision on the merits expected in the autumn and, before that, on the future of the validation law that passes to the National Assembly on 2 June.
After the decision of the Court of Appeal authorizing the resumption of the construction of the A69, the Minister of Transport announces that the equipment will be re-lit in mid-June. But the court still has to rule on the substance of the dispute.
The construction of the A69 is going to resume. It is an umpteenth turnaround in this very controversial case between Toulouse and Castres. Justice has indeed given its green light at the request of the State. The works, stopped three months ago, are expected to start again from mid-June. However, other court decisions are still expected. At the end of the day, the ghost yard still employed a hundred people to mark up and secure the premises. It…
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