An essential tool for opening up the eastern part of the Occitanie Region, the new Montpellier-Perpignan railway line project is gradually getting underway. Decree No. 2023-111 of February 16 attributes the declaration of public utility to the site necessary for the construction of the first section between Montpellier and Béziers.
Decree No. 2023-111 kicks off a large-scale project discussed for more than 30 years. The first phase between Montpellier-Béziers of the new railway line between Montpellier and Perpignan will start work from 2029 and will be completed in 2034. The cost of the work is estimated at 2.04 billion euros, of which 816 million are insured by the partner local authorities. The State undertakes to participate up to 40%, the European Union 20% and local authorities 40% (in the latter group, the Region participates up to 40%).
Composed of 52.3 km of new line, line 1 will cross 23 municipalities, and will offer a time saving of 18 minutes between Montpellier and Béziers. This stage will be quickly followed by the Béziers-Perpignan section by 2040. Overall, these developments will relieve congestion on the current line, strengthen the network of services in the territory by offering travelers national and international connections to Spain faster.
