SNCF Réseau has launched a major public consultation on the “Southern Alps Rail Performance” project, developed in partnership with SNCF Gares & Connexions. The consultation enables residents, passengers, economic stakeholders, associations and local authorities to obtain information, ask questions, and submit comments or proposals.
This strategic project aims to modernise the railway line between Aix-en-Provence and Briançon, linking southern France with the south-eastern Alpine region. It is a key transport corridor for mobility across the Alpine valleys and the Durance valley.
Built more than a century ago, the line spans over 280 km and serves 15 stations, playing a vital role in daily travel, tourism and the economic development of the 55 municipalities along its route. Today, due to ageing infrastructure and challenging natural conditions, a major investment programme is required to ensure rail safety and reliability, improve station accessibility and intermodality, and enhance the economic and tourism attractiveness of the regions served.
The modernisation plan includes extensive works such as:
- replacement of 120 km of railway track;
- rehabilitation of 85 engineering structures and earthworks;
- reopening of two train crossing points;
- upgrading of signalling systems;
- removal of obsolete or redundant installations;
- redevelopment of six stations: Meyrargues, Gap, Embrun, Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre, L’Argentière-les-Écrins and Briançon.
The hosting of the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in the French Alps provides an opportunity to accelerate this programme, originally planned over more than ten years and now scheduled for completion by the end of 2029. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
Co-financing for the Southern Alps rail performance project
The total cost of the project is estimated at around €325 million. This includes:
- EUR 285 million for infrastructure works delivered by SNCF Réseau, funded by the French State, the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, the Hautes-Alpes Department, the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, and other institutional partners;
- EUR 40 million for works in the six stations, led by SNCF Gares & Connexions and co-financed by the State, region, local authorities and additional partners.
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