Abstract The roadmap for the renewal of French high-speed lines charts the first massive track and ballast renewal operations on the Paris-Lyon High-Speed Line by 2028–2034. SNCF Réseau is initiating a strategic reflection to tackle the major challenges posed by the highest-usage axis in Europe. Framed by the aging laws, the studies in progress will determine the operational maintenance of the main components (rail, ballast, and concrete sleepers), in order to plan -in space and time- the regeneration of nearly 540 km of high-speed lines. After several years of trying, feedback obtained during the deployment of innovative materials confirms SNCF’s choice of designing a “new model of ballast track” with better sustainability and better compatibility with environmental issues. As our recent studies and trackworks have shown, Under Sleeper Pad, ballast gluing, new sleepers and other parts of our Concept Track model reduce maintenance efforts and extend ballast life. As a matter of fact, innovations in the renewal process provide a global industrial and environmental solution through the reduction of capacity impact (ballast and sleepers renewal at 120 km/h then 160 km/h) to lower impact on commercial traffic and limit resource usage. New methodologies for recycling used ballast allow to greatly cut down on the use of new ballast, thus reducing the environmental footprint and associated costs.