Ten years after the announced commissioning of the first section of this missing link, i.e. the high-speed link between Montpellier and Béziers, SNCF is organizing this April 30, in Montpellier, a seminar dedicated to this high-speed line project between Montpellier and Perpignan.
The first section of this connection between Montpellier and Perpignan is on track. The 52 kilometers between Montpellier and Béziers will save 20 minutes between the two Hérault towns but also between Montpellier and Narbonne and therefore between Montpellier and Perpignan.
This first section, called “Phase 1′, will be under construction “before the end of 2029”indicates the SNCF, for commissioning “by 2034” SO. The second, which will go as far as Perpignan, is sent to a more distant, and not certain, horizon.
First section, 20 minutes saved, second section, 40 minutes
The second missing section, that between Béziers and Montpellier, called “Phase 2” is much less advanced. It will also be longer, 97.7 kilometers of rails, and equipped with more infrastructure, in particular two new stations, in Narbonne west and Béziers east.
Two stations whose relevance will however be discussed again, as will the mix (passengers-freight) of this portion which could lead to the digging of the Corbières. A titanic operation which will postpone the deadline for commissioning.
Once commissioned, “by 2040” if the project is not modified, travelers will save 40 minutes of travel time, including of course to reach Paris (a little over five hours by TGV today).
The total cost of this LNMP, the new Montpellier-Perpignan line, amounts to some 6 billion euros: 2 billion for Montpellier-Béziers and 4 billion for Béziers-Perpignan. An investment supported by the communities crossed and the State at 40% of the cost each and 20% by the European Union.
More information on the calendar, decarbonization, additional studies to be carried out, new station or freight options, etc. in our May 2, 2024 editions.
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