The decision was made by the Alsace European Community (CEA) at a meeting in Colmar, reports the German news agency dpa. The toll will cover approximately 200 kilometres and is expected to come into effect from 2027.
The affected routes include the A35 motorway, which runs along the left bank of the Rhine from Lauterburg near Karlsruhe, passing through Strasbourg, Colmar, and Mulhouse, before reaching the Swiss border near Basel. According to dpa, two country roads north of Strasbourg, which connects the A35 to Germany’s A5 Rhine Valley motorway, will also be subject to the toll. Additionally, the A36 motorway from Neuenburg am Rhein to Mulhouse will be included in the toll system.
Response to the diversion of traffic from Germany
The toll is being introduced in response to the increasing number of trucks that divert through Alsace to avoid paying Germany’s motorway toll, explains dpa. Since Germany raised its toll at the end of last year, the number of lorries using the French motorways in the border region has risen significantly. Currently, around 12,000 trucks travel these routes daily, contributing to traffic congestion and environmental concerns.
Unlike most of France’s motorway network, the A35 in Alsace has historically been toll-free, as it falls under state control rather than a private motorway operator. However, since early 2022, local authorities in Alsace have had the power to levy their own tolls on HGV traffic.
Regional representatives in Colmar expressed concerns about the impact of the growing number of trucks on local communities, emphasising the need to prevent Alsace from becoming overwhelmed by this traffic, reports French press.
New toll system details
While the exact specifics of the new toll, referred to as the “R-Pass,” are still being finalised the fee is expected to be around 15 cents per kilometre. This would make it still lower than the toll in Germany.
Revenue from the toll will be used to fund infrastructure improvements, including the planned six-lane expansion of the A35 between Colmar and Sélestat.
Despite these plans, local businesses, farmers, and the transport industry in Alsace have raised concerns. According to the local press, they fear the toll could negatively impact the competitiveness of the region’s companies and, ultimately, the purchasing power of its residents. Many of these stakeholders protested during the CEA meeting, arguing that additional transport costs could harm the regional economy.