A month after the long-awaited reopening, a halftone relief

In Tende (Alpes-Maritimes), silence has given way to the intermittent snoring of engines. In addition, For a month. Moreover, the Tende tunnel, a strategic axis between France and Italy, has been reopened to traffic after more than a decade of the site and five years of closure. Moreover, A deliverance for this commune of the Alpes-Maritimes. Meanwhile, still marked by the Alex storm, which had isolated it from the neighboring Piedmont. For example, “We had become a dead end”sums up a resident, perched on his quad month after long-awaited reopening, halftone in front of the village church.

Since the reopening on June 27. Similarly, around 2,000 vehicles has been circulating there every day during the week, and up to 4,600 on Sundays, according to the latest figures from the prefecture. In addition, As of July 27, 74,000 vehicles have already taken the tunnel. Furthermore, “I found my Italian clients. However, My activity was threatened, now it leaves ”welcomes Maryse, patron of the tavern since 2013. Nevertheless, Attendance remains measured, but noticeable. Furthermore, “It is not yet the crowd in the streets, recognizes Élodie, a replacement florist. In addition, But we no longer have the impression of living in a dead city. ”

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Habits to take over

The return of traffic brings a revival of activity. vitality in a rural and aging commune. “It will take time for people to get into the habit of going month after long-awaited reopening, halftone here. especially to stop, but we believe it”estimates the florist. But without the return of the Train des Merveilles. whose connection is always suspended for heavy work on the tracks, it is a whole section of tourist attendance which remains to be regained. “It is a real obstacle to the local economy”she regrets. A few meters further. at the bar-tabac, Jean-Marc Baldi, 39 years of shop, observes the change of a circumspect eye: “As an individual, as bored. As a bar boss, good things. 80% of customers are Italians who would not come without the tunnel ”. Regarding the nuisance that the tide of carriers carries: “If you want calm, go up to Caterino!”he lets go, a gogginal.

For the mayor Jean-Pierre Vassallo, it is the end of an isolation experienced as an injustice. “The tunnel is the fruit of a fight. We could no longer live without this month after long-awaited reopening, halftone link with Italy ”he assures. He evokes a baker who would have increased his turnover by 40%. and health professionals working between France and Italy finally relieved. “We take a normal life”he sums up.

Before. when there was less circulation, we were more oxygenated

Françoise, a retiree from the town

But in neighboring municipalities, like Fontan, the balance sheet is more bitter. There, the vehicles cross without stopping. The shops, however visible from the road, remain closed. Only a market garden is activated in front of their fruit and vegetable stall. It must be said that the lack of parking spaces discourages the stop. “We are undergoing nuisance without deriving profits”says a merchant, fatalistic.

In Tende, there is no shortage of negative comments either. “Before. when there was month after long-awaited reopening, halftone less circulation, we were more oxygenatedslides Françoise, a retired seated on a bench with two friends. As long as there are no big trucks passing, it’s still going … “ “Motorists accelerate like crazy just after the slower”grommelle in turn Jean-Christophe, restaurateur with four cutlery. “It would take controls, a radar, a fire”he thinks. But to recognize the advantages of this found traffic still: “One of my Italian suppliers had to make a. four -hour detour. Today, it comes back easily and that avoids me to go out too much cash suddenly. ”

Tunnel traffic remains subject to regulation: traffic is authorized from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., alternating with around twenty minutes of waiting on average between each crossing. The renovation of the historic tunnel, scheduled for 2027, should ultimately allow fluid circulation in both directions. Until then, elected officials are working to secure access to Tende, expand month after long-awaited reopening, halftone the sidewalks, develop the parking lots. After years of immobility, you have to relearn how to live with movement.