The New Coastal Road (NRL) project on Reunion Island, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, has faced significant budget increases and delays since its inception. Initially estimated at 1.6 billion euros in 2010, the project's cost has now risen to around 2.5 billion euros. The NRL was approved under the Matignon II agreements, signed in 2010, with the goal of replacing a treacherous coastal road with a safer, modern infrastructure. Construction of the first concrete section, a viaduct, began in late 2013, but the project has been plagued by delays and rising costs. As of recent reports, the cost per kilometer of the road has exceeded 195 million euros, making it one of the most expensive infrastructure projects in France. While part of the viaduct has opened to traffic since March 2023, the overall infrastructure remains incomplete. Originally, the plan involved building a section of the road directly over the sea, between a protective dike and a viaduct. However, the lack of local quarries to supply the necessary rock for the dike forced the abandonment of that part of the design. Instead, a second viaduct is now planned to begin construction in 2027, pushing the project's completion date to 2030. A 2022 report by the regional chamber of accounts raised concerns about the environmental impact of the project, particularly on the Reunion National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These concerns have added pressure to ensure the project adheres to environmental standards while completing the infrastructure. The original goal was to finish the project between 2017 and 2020, but delays have pushed back the timeline significantly. Phased deliveries are now expected to begin as early as 2026. As the project moves forward, it continues to face scrutiny over its costs, delays, and environmental impact, highlighting the challenges of large-scale infrastructure development in sensitive areas.