SYSTRA joins the largest HSL project in France

Engineering company SYSTRA has signed a contract valid through 2034 with Grand Projet Sud-Ouest, a subsidiary of SNCF Réseau, to carry out the Ligne Nouvelle Sud-Ouest (LNSO) project. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This initiative will become the largest railway construction project in French history, connecting Bordeaux with Toulouse and Dax through a high-speed line over 400 km long.

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SYSTRA’s role in the LNSO development

SYSTRA is responsible for planning, designing, and supporting the project at all stages. Its first task is to prepare tender documentation for the Bordeaux–Toulouse section, which will extend the Tours–Bordeaux HSL that opened in 2017.

A separate branch will link Bordeaux with Dax, providing access to the Spanish border via Bayonne and Irun and strengthening international connections.

Impact of the project on regions and transport

The plan includes building 418 km of new tracks, upgrading 31 km of existing lines, and constructing three stations and two platforms.

This new line will enhance transport accessibility for more than 12 million people in the Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions and reduce pressure on the current network.

The freed-up capacity will support the expansion of regional passenger routes and boost freight transport volumes.

The Bordeaux–Toulouse section is expected to open in 2032, unlocking new logistics potential and increasing the resilience of the transport system.

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