Systra France has been awarded a landmark nine-year contract by SNCF Réseau to support the development of the New Southwest Line (Ligne Nouvelle Sud-Ouest – LNSO), the largest rail infrastructure project ever undertaken in France. The high-speed rail line will connect Bordeaux to Toulouse and Bordeaux to Dax, significantly improving journey times and regional connectivity while contributing to national and European transport networks.
The general and technical project management assistance (AMO) contract was awarded by GPSO (Grand Projet Sud-Ouest), part of SNCF Réseau, which is overseeing the development of the LNSO. The project is a key component in France’s long-term strategy for low-carbon transport and regional development.
Systra’s role in the LNSO
Systra’s role in the LNSO will extend through to 2034 and cover all phases of design and construction. With around 100 staff dedicated to the project—mostly based in Bordeaux and Toulouse—Systra France will assist SNCF Réseau with:
- Defining the functional and technical specifications of the line
- Managing administrative, environmental, and financial aspects
- Ensuring project delivery meets time and budget targets
- Integrating innovative technology and maintaining a high level of environmental performance
The first phase will focus on completing the programme for the Bordeaux–Toulouse section in preparation for design-build tenders.
“At Systra France, we are proud to have supported our client SNCF for many years, with whom we share an ambitious and sustainable vision of rail mobility… Our teams based in Toulouse and Bordeaux are particularly pleased to contribute to the realisation of this magnificent project,” Éric de Balincourt, CEO of Systra France, said.
A transformational project
The New Southwest Line is seen as vital to supporting growing populations in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie regions. Designed to deliver rapid, low-carbon transport options, the project aims to reduce reliance on road and air travel, and to strengthen the national rail network and its links with Spain.
The high-speed rail extension follows on from the opening of the Tours–Bordeaux line in 2017 and will continue the corridor towards Toulouse and the Spanish border. Two main branches—Bordeaux–Toulouse and Bordeaux–Dax—will be connected to one another, enabling a direct high-speed link from Toulouse to Spain via Bayonne and Irun.
When complete, the project will offer significant reductions in journey times:
| Route | Current Time | LNSO Time | Time Saved |
| Paris – Toulouse | 4h10 | 3h10 | -1h00 |
| Paris – Dax | 3h20 | 3h00 | -20 mins |
| Bordeaux – Toulouse | 2h01 | 1h05 | -56 mins |
| Bordeaux – Barcelona | 4h50 | 3h50 | -1h00 |
| Toulouse – Bayonne | 3h30 | 2h15 | -1h15 |
The entire route will span more than 400km and take a “Y” shape configuration. It is expected to ease pressure on existing lines, freeing capacity for freight and regional TER (Transport Express Régional) services, particularly in and around the metropolitan areas of Bordeaux and Toulouse.
In addition to the new high-speed sections, the project includes upgrades to 12km of rail south of Bordeaux and 19km north of Toulouse—areas where Systra has already been active as project manager since 2021.
Environmental and economic benefits
The LNSO project is underpinned by strong environmental and economic goals. By enhancing high-speed, low-emission travel options, the initiative aligns with national and EU climate ambitions. The new line will directly benefit an estimated 12 million residents and contribute to modal shift away from more polluting forms of transport.
Financing for the project is being provided jointly by the French government, regional and local authorities, and the European Union.
The development is also expected to create up to 10,000 jobs over its lifespan, supporting local employment and contributing to regional economies.
Annelise Baudouin, Director of FIT (Railways) at Systra France, commented: “The award of this project, one of the largest intellectual property services contracts ever concluded by SNCF, is a strong recognition of our expertise and a positive signal for local employment.”
“We are counting on Systra’s recognised expertise and excellence to help us implement this major project, which is driven by innovation, environmental ambition, and performance,” Christophe Huau, Director of the GPSO Agency at SNCF Réseau, added.
KeyfFacts – Ligne Nouvelle Sud-Ouest
- Length: 418km of new high-speed lines
- Upgrades: 12km south of Bordeaux and 19km north of Toulouse
- Stations: 3 new stations and 2 new stops
- Communities affected: 110
- Population served: 12 million
- Jobs created: 10,000
- Opening:
- Bordeaux–Toulouse line by 2032
- Sud-Gironde–Dax section to follow
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