Why carry out works?

Published on Updated on

The works that we carry out on the network aim to maintain a high level of safety and robustness of the rail infrastructure, improve the regularity and frequency of services and develop new services. As a network operator, this is how we respond to new mobility needs.

A huge project

In 2025, SNCF Réseau is investing €6bn in the rail network. In all, 1,600 major projects - over €1m or with high stakes - have been scheduled. Nearly 30,000 staff and hundreds of service providers are on standby every day of the year. And the State has announced major funding that should speed things up even further. Why such a massive mobilisation? Because regenerating and modernising the network are fundamental steps towards doubling rail traffic and accelerating the ecological transition.  

Three types of intervention

There are three main categories of intervention on the network:

  • Regeneration

    and routine maintenance works to ensure the robustness of the network

  • Modernisation works

    to improve the performance of network operations

  • The development works

    to improve services and the network’s services offering

Building tomorrow's network

Our approach to works

Responsible, to limit their impact 

Most of our works are carried out at night or at weekends to avoid disrupting services. We take care to limit noise pollution, preserve biodiversity and reuse materials as part of a circular economy approach. 

 

Efficient, to boost performance  

Launched in 2020, the works information system aims to guarantee the safety and increase the performance of our interventions by relying on digitisation. This project was rolled out in 2022 in the Île-de-France region to meet the challenges of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games and Greater Paris. It will then be extended to the regions. 

Specific works on each network component

Works on tracks

The works are carried out on the rails, sleepers and ballast of passenger and freight lines and sidings.

Switches and crossings works

The works are carried out on the signal boxes in stations and in the marshalling areas where trains are stored.

Works on engineering structures and earthworks

Works are carried out on tunnels, railway bridges, viaducts, aqueducts, hydraulic structures and waterways, and earthworks (embankments).

Signalling works

Works are carried out on signalling stations, signal boxes and along lines for fibre optics.

Works on catenaries

The works are carried out on the catenaries, the cables along the lines that supply the trains with electricity.

Works on electrical substations

The works are carried out on the electrical substations that supply the network and the marshalling areas.

Works at level crossings

The works are carried out on level crossings.

Works in stations

The works are carried out on railway stops (service points without passenger buildings) as well as passenger and freight stations.

Other types of works

Works to control vegetation 

As the largest item of maintenance expenditure at SNCF Réseau, vegetation control works are essential for the safety of rail services and infrastructure. Our interventions involve maintaining "zero vegetation" on the tracks, controlling the grass cover in the strips close by and maintaining the vegetation around the tracks. Since 2021, we have been carrying out all these operations without using glyphosate. 

Works to limit rail noise 

The works are carried out on tracks in densely populated areas. They involve installing anti-noise screens or barriers, renewing the rolling stock fleet, replacing rails and sleepers, and installing absorbers on rails. The challenge: to limit the impact of our activities on local residents. 

Network development works 

The works are carried out on existing lines and in densely populated areas. They involve extending lines and creating new routes. The challenge: to cope with the increase in traffic and service requirements. The extension of the RER E to Mantes-la-Jolie, the creation of a high-speed line between Bordeaux and Toulouse, the new line between Perpignan and Montpellier and the modernisation of the line between La Roche-sur-Foron and Saint-Gervais for the RER Léman Express are all projects that embody this dynamic. 

Check the conformity of your works equipment

Our "Works equipment" experts can check that all your works equipment, whatever its category, complies with current construction standards. The objective: to enable you to obtain the marketing authorisation and work permit you need to operate works equipment on the network. 

Find out more