First motorway maintenance work begins before the end of the concessions

These programs "represent several hundred million euros of investment at the expense of companies," he emphasizes in a press release.

At the end of November, the Transport Regulatory Authority (ART) estimated the amount of investment needed to restore the motorways to good condition by the end of the concessions at more than 10 billion euros.

Of the 9.300 kilometers of the French toll motorway network, nearly 90% are managed by seven companies, whose concession contracts will expire between 2031 and 2036.

Under their contract with the State, these companies must take, seven years before the end of their contract, the necessary measures to ensure that the motorway assets are restored to a good state of repair.

The first concession to expire will be that of Sanef (Société des autoroutes du nord et de l'est de la France) at the end of 2031. The group has therefore received its "maintenance and renewal program" and must complete the necessary work, without increasing tolls, by December 31, 2031, the ministry said in a press release.

Escota, which operates the Côte d'Azur motorways, must complete them by February 29, 2032.

These first two programs will then be added to those of the five remaining companies, "no later than August 31, 2026 for the Paris-Normandy motorways, June 30, 2027 for the Cofiroute motorways in the West, and November 30, 2028 for the Paris-Rhine-Rhône motorways," the press release adds.

Demanding objectives have been set, particularly concerning the condition of road surfaces and structures, the condition of engineering structures (bridges, tunnels, etc.), the condition of safety and operating equipment, etc., the ministry explains.

The State will conduct periodic audits, inspections and assessments "at least every six months" to ensure "that the work is carried out in accordance with the requirements it has set," the statement concluded.

"We are not in negotiations. The concessionaires are required to carry them out. It is the heritage of the French people that is at stake," and it is "the return of the State to the heart of highway management," stressed Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot in an interview with Le Figaro.