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THE MAJOR FRANCE-ITALY ROUTE CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS IN SEPTEMBER The Mont Blanc tunnel has reopened after closing in September for 15 weeks of major renovation work. The tunnel reopened at

22:00 on December 16, after successfully passing safety tests that began on December 4, said Agence France-Presse (AFP). The complete restarting of traffic in both directions was conditional

on the passing of these tests, said French concession holders Autoroutes et Tunnel du Mont-Blanc (ATMB) and the Italian concession holder SITMB, in a press release on their website. MORE

THAN 150,000 HOURS OF WORK Work took place on the bridge - specifically the renovation of the tunnel’s vault - for 105 days continuously, with more than 150 people putting in “more than

150,000 hours of work” at an investment cost of €24 million, the two companies added. The 11.6 km tunnel closed for work on September 2, closing off a major route between France and Italy.

The autumn season was chosen for the works because it is the lowest in terms of traffic, especially for light vehicles (which typically make up 68% of the tunnel’s traffic).  The closure

also enabled civil engineering work to be carried out as well as on equipment and the exterior of the structure, the concession holders said. It also enabled engineers to “determine the best

method for continuing the work [and maintenance] in the years to come”. Having first opened 60 years ago the tunnel is now used by thousands of vehicles every day. This heavy use means that

it “requires regular major civil engineering work”, the concession holders said. Full details of the tunnel’s opening times, planned closures, and traffic forecasts (particularly over the

forthcoming holiday period) can be seen on the official website at tunnelmb.net.