The Franco-Italian Intergovernmental Commission has just officially announced that two scenarios for closing the Mont Blanc Tunnel to complete the rest of the renovation of its vault are currently under consideration. The French and Italian governments have a few weeks to decide whether they prefer a 3.5-year shutdown or a 15-year shutdown in the fall.
Opened in 1965, the Mont Blanc Tunnel is currently undergoing one of the most extensive renovations in its history. The 11.6-kilometer tunnel requires a complete overhaul of its vault over nearly 6 kilometers. This operation is essential to ensure user safety and the sustainability of this strategic link between France and Italy.
And after the two experimental work campaigns still underway, the European Economic Interest Grouping (EEG) that operates the tunnel was able to announce two possible scenarios for the continuation of the work to the Franco-Italian Intergovernmental Commission. A phased closure of 3.5 months each autumn for around fifteen years, or a continuous closure of around 3.5 years from 2030. Two choices with very different consequences for the economic, tourist and logistical life of the Chamonix Valley and the Aosta Valley.
Le Dauphiné
