The A69 War Will Have No Winner

The long-anticipated, or dreaded decision, has been made. The works on the A69 must stop immediately.

The administrative tribunal of Toulouse annulled, on February 27, 2025, the environmental authorizations necessary for the construction of the A69 highway between Castres and Toulouse. This decision, while welcomed by some, plunges the State into a dilemma. Far from taking a position on the ecological or social debates surrounding the project, another question arises: that of a potential new waste of public money.

Primarily funded by tolls and carried out in partnership with several local authorities, this project has already consumed 300 million euros, or two-thirds of its total cost. These funds, mobilized since the start of construction in March 2023, had thus far benefited from six favorable court rulings. However, all of this could be called into question if the annulment of the authorizations were to be confirmed on appeal.

A Polluted A69 Project

In response to this decision, the State announced its intention to appeal and request a stay of execution. In the meantime, the project is on hold, except for safety measures, as stipulated by environmental law. This project, declared of public utility in 2018, had nonetheless received broad local support from elected officials and economic stakeholders, who viewed it as a response to accessibility, safety, and nuisance reduction needs in the region.

Beyond the official rhetoric about the strategic importance of this infrastructure for the local economy, a reality becomes clear: each day of suspension adds to the bill. Between the millions already invested and the cost of legal appeals, uncertainty looms. If the A69 were to be permanently abandoned, it would mean a loss of public and private funds. An outcome that, unfortunately, is not unprecedented in the management of major French projects.

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