"I cannot hide my deep incomprehension...": Departmental President Charles Ange Ginésy criticizes the opening of the Tende tunnel "in degraded mode"

Roya has never been closer to seeing the Tende tunnel open . The tunnel, at the heart of a saga that has for ten years involved legal, financial, and climate issues (among others), will be inaugurated this Friday at 6:30 p.m. for opening to traffic the following day. This is an eagerly awaited step in Roya to revitalize the valley and reconnect with the neighboring country, but one that leaves a feeling of unfinished business, according to the president of the Alpes-Maritimes Department.

A satisfaction, certainly, but tinged with frank frustration. Charles Ange Ginésy did not hide his "deep incomprehension" in the face of an opening "in degraded mode" , far from the initial ambitions of the project. Instead of two fully operational unidirectional tubes, as planned in the Franco-Italian agreements of 2007, only one tube will be put into service - in alternating circulation, and only during a limited time slot. The work to restore the old tube, however, still does not have a precise timetable.

"We are in a paradoxical situation: after having already invested 200 million euros, just for the first tunnel, we have the same traffic constraints as ten years ago. We have also been told that we will incur an additional cost of 70 million euros compared to the initial commitments, in the hope of completing what should have been delivered a long time ago, i.e. more than 320 million euros."

The Credibility Test

Despite everything, this first reopening remains a major step forward for the Roya Valley and its inhabitants, still affected by the consequences of Storm Alex and the persistent access difficulties.

The President of the Department also welcomes the "rapid mobilization" of the French Minister Philippe Tabarot, as well as that of his Italian counterpart Matteo Salvini, who have contributed to unblocking a situation "which has been frozen for too long" .

But he warns: "I call on the State and the Italian authorities to be transparent about the use of public funds [...] This issue is a test of credibility for Franco-Italian cooperation, and for respect for the word given to mountain territories." And concludes: "The Roya Valley deserves a functional, secure and sustainable tunnel. The reopening on June 27, although partial, must mark a starting point towards the real completion of this vital axis."