"ecologic compensation"

#12372258

16 May 2025

In Saix, France, on May 15, 2025, at the A69 construction site, Atosca attempts ecological compensation by transforming meadows into a wetland. After the Administrative Court of Toulouse decides to suspend all works on the A69 highway project between Toulouse and Castres, NGE/Atosca files an appeal against this decision and requests the Court to allow the works to continue during the appeal process. Two senators and two MPs from the Tarn department propose a retroactive law to authorize the building of the A69, aiming to bypass the decision of the Administrative Court of Toulouse. Atosca states that all leveling works have begun and that more than 70% of highway structures are completed. However, the leveling works and highway structures do not match the numbers provided by Atosca. Additionally, several issues affect the work, such as water evacuation and species protection. The main association, 'La Voie est Libre' (meaning 'The Way is Free'), opposes the project and wants the highway construction to stop until all judicial decisions are made. All expropriations for farmers are not resolved. Opponents of the project argue that reprofiling the N126 will suffice for the 6,000 vehicles planned per day and would cost significantly less. The A69 highway is projected to cost EUR512 million (in 2018 euros, excluding inflation) for 54 kilometers. More than 100 protected species and 400 hectares of agricultural fields will be destroyed.

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