French Court Considers Halting Controversial A69 Highway Construction
Environmental groups seek suspension of the Toulouse-Castres highway project as a legal review examines its compliance with environmental regulations.
- The Toulouse Administrative Court is reviewing a request to suspend the A69 highway project while a legal challenge on its environmental compliance proceeds.
- Opponents argue the project has violated environmental regulations 29 times over 18 months, impacting habitats of protected species like otters, birds, and reptiles.
- The project, a 53-kilometer highway linking Toulouse and Castres, is scheduled for completion by late 2025, though critics claim it is over a year behind schedule.
- A public magistrate previously recommended canceling the project’s environmental authorization, but the court reopened the case for further review in December 2024.
- Supporters, including the Tarn prefecture and concessionaire Atosca, argue that halting construction would harm environmental mitigation efforts and disrupt economic benefits.
Le Nouvel Obs 
Sud Ouest 