30/06/2026
Soletanche Bachy France: Rehabilitation of the Beaucaire Tunnel
Soletanche Bachy France is involved in the rehabilitation of the Beaucaire Tunnel, a railway structure weakened by time.
A century-old structure at the heart of a modernization program
Located on the Tarascon–Sète line, the Beaucaire Tunnel is undergoing a major operation as part of the French railway network regeneration program. Built in 1837 in Burdigalian Miocene molasse, this 300-meter single-tube structure accommodates two tracks and represents a key link in the Mediterranean rail corridor.
After nearly two centuries of operation, the tunnel features sections of unlined vault requiring urgent structural intervention. This project illustrates a recurring challenge across the French network: preserving a legacy of aging infrastructure while adapting it to modern safety and performance standards.
Project objectives
The operation pursues two complementary goals:
Short term — safety and durability
The treatment of unlined vault sections is the project’s top priority. The objective is to eliminate instability risks, strengthen the tunnel lining, and ensure the long-term durability of the structure.
Medium term — adaptation for rail freight (by 2030)
The project is part of a forward-looking approach: preparing the tunnel for a larger clearance gauge, a prerequisite for accommodating next-generation freight trains. This upgrade anticipates the growth of rail freight, a key driver in the transition toward lower-carbon mobility.
Specialized techniques deployed for a complex project
The work involves a range of advanced civil engineering and underground construction expertise:
- Track bed protection — securing the work zone in advance;
- Removal of unstable elements and surface stripping — elimination of degraded or hazardous materials;
- Pre-cutting and dry trimming — precise cutting to prepare surfaces and achieve the required clearance;
- Installation of reinforcement steel — structural strengthening of treated areas;
- Application of fiber-reinforced sprayed RIG concrete — final consolidation of surfaces through the application of fiber-reinforced shotcrete, ensuring optimal adhesion and durability.
A flagship project reflecting the challenges of the rail network
The Beaucaire Tunnel alone embodies the challenges faced by the entire national rail network: how to keep aging infrastructure in operation while preparing it for future needs.
This project highlights the need for a dual approach: immediate safety concerns on one hand, and long-term strategic vision on the other. By anticipating future clearance requirements today, project owners avoid costly short-term re-intervention and secure the logistical future of the Tarascon–Sète corridor.
The reliability of the rail network—and with it, the competitiveness of rail freight compared to road transport—depends precisely on this type of operation: discreet, technical, yet decisive for the future of sustainable mobility.
