Built 60 years ago, used daily by thousands of vehicles, the 11.6 km long bidirectional structure is at a stage where punctual repairs are no longer enough: "We have chosen to do more important, more substantial work to give a second life to this tunnel," explains Grégory Schwarshaupt, Deputy Director of ATMB.
It is about its "long-term sustainability," he told AFP.
The first two phases of work, described as "experimental", should allow the repair of the vault on four sections totalling 1,200 meters, or about 10% of the total length, and to develop the most efficient timetable possible for the remaining 90%, which will also have to be renovated in the following years.
The tunnel sees around 1,700 heavy trucks per day all year round, while light vehicle traffic averages 3,600 cars per day, with peaks of more than 6,000 in August. The autumn period corresponds to the low point of tourist traffic.
The first test site will allow the renovation of 600 meters of vault in two places. If its results are positive, an additional 600 meters will be renovated in 2024. These first two phases were budgeted at €50 million, supported equally by the French (ATMB) and Italian (SITMB) concession companies.
For the future, "everything remains open," says Mr. Schwarshaupt, who says he "understands the expectations" of regional actors, especially those who live from tourism, and carriers. "The sooner we can communicate, explain how the rest of this project will unfold, the better it is for everyone," he explains, referring to the end of 2024 date.
At the end of 2022, information from the Italian press on potential closure scenarios had caused strong concern in Italian business circles, some fearing that they would "bring the country's economy to its knees".
Some 92% of goods travelling between France and Italy pass by road, according to the Alpine Agency for Territories. That's three million heavy goods vehicles and 43 million tonnes (Mt) on the roads of the Alps.
© 2023 AFP