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2w ago

French Senate Passes Law to Resume Controversial A69 Motorway Construction

The retroactive validation law, backed by the government, faces legal challenges over environmental concerns and constitutional scrutiny.

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Le chantier de l'A69 à l’arrêt, le 4 mars 2025.
Près de 400 militants anti-A69 ont célébré sur la place du Capitole la décision du tribunal administratif de Toulouse d'annuler le chantier d'autoroute entre Castres et Toulouse, 27 fevrier 2025.
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Overview

  • The French Senate approved a validation law on May 15, 2025, aiming to bypass a February court ruling that annulled environmental permits for the A69 motorway project.
  • The law declares the project of 'imperative public interest,' allowing construction to resume despite environmental and legal objections.
  • Opponents, including environmentalists and legal experts, plan to challenge the law's constitutionality before the Conseil constitutionnel.
  • The A69 project, a 53-kilometer toll motorway between Toulouse and Castres, has faced criticism for threatening 157 protected species and 400 hectares of wetlands.
  • The National Assembly will review the law on June 2, while an administrative appeal on May 21 will determine if the suspension of construction is upheld.