Almost two weeks after a spectacular landslide in the Maurienne valley, the A43 motorway will be able to reopen “probably” this weekend and “even tomorrow (Saturday), Transport Minister Clément Beaune assured Friday. This will make it possible to launch in “a few days” maintenance work on the Mont Blanc tunnel, initially scheduled for September 4, the manager said on the air of France Blue country of Savoy.
The period of work, which had been postponed to avoid congestion on this major traffic route between France and Italy, will “undoubtedly” be shortened, “rather around seven weeks” compared to fifteen initially planned, commented Clément Beaune .
Shortened work period
Around 10,000 m3 of rocks fell on August 27 in Savoie, following a heatwave followed by heavy rain. It led to the closure of the RD 1006, the A43 motorway and the railway, isolating several municipalities.
After discussions with Italy, “we will undoubtedly reduce the period of work this fall on the Mont Blanc tunnel. We were around 15 weeks (…) it will probably be around seven weeks of work”, specifying that the resumption of rail traffic will take “more time”.