WORK is due to begin later this year on a €900m project to improve rail access from the north to the French city of Toulouse, following the completion of environmental impact assessments, a public inquiry and final approval.
The AFNT project forms part of the wider programme to build a high-speed line between Bordeaux and Toulouse. The new line will join the existing network just south of Castelnau d’Estrétefonds, and the 19km of line from here to Toulouse currently has two or three tracks.
Under the AFNT, the line will be rebuilt with two pairs of tracks, separating high-speed and local traffic. According to infrastructure manager SNCF Network, this will enable up to four TER regional passenger services to operate every hour between Toulouse and Castelnau d’Estrétefonds.
On the eastern pair of tracks, stations will be built or rebuilt at Saint Jory, Fenouillet/Saint-Alban, Lacourtensourt, Lalande-l’Église and Route de Launaguet. The latter will provide interchange with Line B of the Toulouse light rail network and the future metro Line M3.
The new tracks for regional services are expected to open in 2031, followed by the high-speed line in 2032.
With 20,000 new residents settling in the Toulouse urban area every year, the Occitanie region is working with the city council, public transport operator Tisséo and other local partners to tackle traffic congestion and the 42% of CO2 emissions generated by local road journeys.
This will include the creation of a Metropolitan Regional Express Service (Serm) network providing frequent RER-style services around Toulouse, operating from 05.00 to 23.00, with a train every 10 minutes at peak times.
With the aim of introducing 121 extra trains a day by 2032, trials of increased off-peak frequencies are due to be conducted in 2025.
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