The one-year postponement of the total closure of the Tunnel was announced by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the end of the Italy-France intergovernmental conference, convened to discuss the difficult situation that emerged after the landslide that blocked the Frejus route for more than 15 days. At the same time (on September 4), in fact, extraordinary works at Mont Blanc were to begin, imposing its closure until December. An unacceptable overlap that raised the critical issue of seeing essentially all major communications and exports between Italy and France closed in case of accidents or natural disasters.
The one-year postponement will ensure the opening of the second Frejus tunnel, which, as announced, will be by the first half of 2024, so as to give more security to the circulation circulation in case of problems.
The Intergovernmental Commission also decided that the Mont Blanc Tunnel by December will be closed for about six weeks to allow for work to improve the safety of the infrastructure.
The construction sites will require a total ban on traffic in both directions, but will work only at night, with the possibility of being quickly suspended if traffic conditions require it. The timetable has not yet been announced, however.
Also in September 2023, there will be nighttime closures for previously scheduled work that occurs periodically. Therefore, traffic will be prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on days between September 18 and 22 and September 25 and 29.