– How to avoid traffic jams at the Mont-Blanc tunnel?
The motorway and tunnel linking neighboring France to Italy will be particularly congested in July and August. Here are some tips for dodging traffic jams.
Published today at 5:27 p.m.
The entrance to the Mont-Blanc tunnel, French side. Illustrative photo.
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Spend hours in your car, waiting for your turn on the winding bends of the Route Blanche, before finally being able to take the Mont-Blanc tunnel, heading towards Italy. This is the nightmare of many a vacationer. And this summer will be no exception. The company Autoroutes et Tunnel du Mont-Blanc (ATMB) predicts that around 8,000 vehicles per day will cross the Alps at the peak of July and August. This is almost twice as much as the annual average (editor’s note: 5000 per day).
To avoid spending the start of your vacation in an endless queue, here are some tips for avoiding traffic jams.
First of all, you should choose your departure date carefully. Not all days of the week are equal in terms of congestion. Thus, on Saturday July 20 and 27, as well as Friday July 26 and Wednesday July 31, the waiting time at the tunnel could increase to two hours. Therefore, choose weekdays for your departure.
Stay informed live
Remember that the future belongs to those who get up early. The Mont-Blanc tunnel records its highest peaks in traffic between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Conversely, traffic is rather fluid until 7 a.m. and from 10 p.m. Please note, however: the tunnel will be closed for work during the night of July 1 to 2. On the evenings of July 3, 4 and 5, cars will circulate alternately.
These forecasts are subject to change. To stay informed, ATMB recommends using its “ATMB Mobility” application. The congestion level at the tunnel entrance can also be consulted in real time on its website.
If traffic jams are too long, is it worth taking another route? “It depends on the destination and the constraints of each person,” explains the ATMB communications service. In general, before taking other routes, you need to find out about their viability conditions.”
Small safety point: even in the tunnel, patience is essential. The ATMB recalls that the rule of timing is essential. A barrier at the entrance only allows one car to pass every eight seconds. “This makes it possible to limit the number of vehicles at the same time inside the tunnel, even in the event of heavy traffic,” specifies the company.
Minimum spacing
Once inside, you should respect the minimum spacing, indicated by the blue lights. Although frustrating, these measures are intended to minimize the risk of a fatal accident, as occurred twenty-five years ago.
The ATMB also recommends listening to the FM radio while crossing the tunnel, which allows you to receive instructions for behavior in the event of an unforeseen event. “And, in general, remember to have water or food on board in case of waiting on the access ramps,” concludes the communications team.
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