A63 autoroute

The A63 autoroute is a motorway in southwest France, connecting Bordeaux to the border with Spain and Basque [Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country] via the Autopista AP-8. The motorway, rather than being a purpose-built route, is an upgrade of the former RN10, which became a full toll road and no longer exists south of Bordeaux. The motorway crosses Les Landes as a dual-carriageway.

Route

The A63 connects the border with Spain at Biriatou at the southern edge of the Landes.
It is part of the Autoroute des Estuaires and is used by lorries from all over Europe heading to the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, the road is connected at Bayonne with the A64 to Pau, Tarbes and Toulouse.
The northern section has junctions with the A660. Image:A63 Biarritz.jpg|thumb|300px|Péage of the Negress with Biarritz

History

The A63 was operated by the Autoroute Company de la Cote Basque in 1984.
The first section to open was the by-pass of Saint-Jean-de-Luz in 1972.
ACOBA was integrated into the ASF.

Future

The southern section will be widened to three lanes over the next few years.
The northern section would become part of a new ring road for Bordeaux. This however is a controversial road project.