Col de Tende

The Tende Tunnel Linking Italy and France Will Reopen This Summer

Originally inaugurated in 1882 as the longest road tunnel in the world, this 3,182-metre passage sits just north of France’s Alpes-Maritimes and connects through to Italy. It has been undergoing a major revamp since 2013, with the nineteenth-century section getting a modern refresh and a second passage being built for vehicles. The new tunnel is due to be completed and tested by March, with an opening planned for June, after which work on the old tunnel will begin, meaning it will initially only operate in one direction. The project has suffered significant delays, including the theft of 200 tonnes of materials in 2017 and Storm Alex making the French side inaccessible in 2020, and it’s now expected that both sides will be fully open in 2027. Costs have spiralled from an original estimate of €170 million to €250 million, funded jointly by France and Italy, with around 41 percent covered by the French government and local authorities and €70 million contributed by Italy. For now, it remains an important but partly limited road link between the two countries while alternative rail options continue to improve. - Liv Kelly