July 25, 2025
Toulouse Metro Line C: Equans at the Heart of a Major Construction Project
Construction has begun on Line C of the Toulouse metro, marking a new milestone in the development of faster, smoother, and more sustainable urban mobility. This major 27-kilometer project—including 22 km of tunnel—will connect the metropolitan area’s main economic hubs, directly serving more than 220,000 jobs. This project, with a total estimated cost of €3.151 billion for Line C and the Airport Express Line, is a technical challenge that Equans France, through its subsidiaries Axima Tunnel Ventilation Systems (Transport Division) and Ineo MPLR (BIS Division), is rising to the challenge.
Recognized expertise at the service of Tisséo Ingénierie
As longstanding partners of Tisséo Ingénierie since the 2000s (notably on Line B, the extension of Line A, and safety improvements to its tunnels), the Equans teams are once again contributing their expertise to this strategic project. The consortium led by Eiffage Énergie Systèmes - Ventilation des Espaces Souterrains –includes:
- Axima Tunnel Ventilation Systems for the design and installation of electromechanical smoke extraction ventilation systems for the tunnel and stations
- Ineo MPLR for high- and low-voltage electrical work
These complementary areas of expertise enabled us to propose to Tisséo an integrated, high-performance, and uniform solution for the entire line.
©Fabien Ferrer / Tisséo Ingénierie
A complex and demanding project
The construction of the tunnel and its technical systems involves overcoming numerous challenges related to the diversity of environments (rail, urban, public access buildings, underground), the coordination of multiple project management teams and stringent regulatory requirements. The project also relies on the development and implementation of an innovative control and command system centralized at the CCP (Central Control Post) and in stations.
The project’s success was also based on the determination of the Equans teams, who were able to innovate right from the bid response stage to build a proposal that was solid from a technical, environmental, and operational standpoint.
A Strong Commitment to a Greener City
Beyond the technical challenges, this metro line is the first to be HQE-certified, and Equans is fully committed to the goals of energy and ecological transition championed by the local authorities of the Toulouse metropolitan area:
- reducing traffic congestion,
- lowering pollution,
- strengthened integration with other modes of transportation (buses, rail, high-speed rail),
- improved quality of life for residents.
A Collective Effort
The project will mobilize up to 130 employees at peak activity and, with the support of Tisseo Ingénierie, is projected to provide more than 15,900 hours of professional integration, in line with our policy of corporate social responsibility.
With this latest success, Equans reaffirms its position as a leading player in major transportation infrastructure projects, working toward a more sustainable future.
©Fabien Ferrer / Tisséo Ingénierie
