Fréjus Road Tunnel, Road tunnel between Modane and Bardonecchia, France-Italy
The Fréjus Road Tunnel is a road tunnel between Modane in France and Bardonecchia in Italy, extending 12,868 meters (approximately 42,220 feet) through the Cottian Alps. The passage runs in a single straight line beneath the mountain ridge, linking both countries through an underground corridor.
Work began in 1974 and continued for six years until the link opened to traffic in 1980. The project grew from the desire to create a year-round alternative to mountain passes that often become impassable during winter.
The passage links two language areas and forms a direct route between the French and Italian Alps. Travelers shift from one cultural setting to another within minutes, experiencing the transition between different ways of life.
Access on the French side is through the A43 from Lyon and Chambéry, while the Italian approach follows the A32 from Turin. The crossing remains open throughout the year, with tolls paid at the booths located at both ends.
Deep beneath the surface lies the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane, a research facility dedicated to the study of neutrinos. The thick layer of rock shields the experiments from cosmic rays, making the site a valuable location for particle physics.
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