The long-awaited Tende tunnel, meant to bridge southern France and Italy, has seen significant delays since construction began back in 2013. Recently, officials have hinted at completion dates, but uncertainties remain rampant, casting shadows over what was once envisioned as an economic lifeline for local communities.
During a visit to the construction site on January 5, 2025, Philippe Tabarot, France's newly appointed Minister of Transport, announced hopes for the completion of the tunnel by the end of March or early April. Tabarot exuberantly declared, "This is a beautiful Christmas gift you've brought us!" referring to the anticipated opening, which locals have been eagerly awaiting for nearly ten years.
The Tende tunnel project, often described as "the shameful construction" by local officials, was initially expected to connect the Liguria region of Italy to the Côte d’Azur seamlessly. But as delays persist, the costs have surged from initial estimates of €170 million to approximately €255 million. Charles Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Department, has expressed indignation over the rising expenditures, stating, "It's going to take some patience, at least until 2027, for vehicles to flow both ways under the Tende tunnel." He is also cautioning local residents about the necessity for budget transparency before any new allocations are considered.
Tabarot’s visit marks the first ministerial engagement at the site, resuming focus on the stalled project after years filled with various setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, severe storms, and investigations involving companies linked to mafia influences. Each calamity drew out the already slow progress on the tunnel, which many hoped would alleviate local transit problems. Following these setbacks, outgoing traffic routes have remained limited and cumbersome, affecting cross-border workers, as highlighted by Tende's Mayor, Jean-Pierre Vassallo.
Vassallo commented on the tunnel's economic importance, emphasizing, "Families on both sides of the border depend on this tunnel. If it doesn't open soon, it will affect our local jobs and economy." He relayed anecdotes of local healthcare workers commuting across the border daily, underscoring the tunnel's role as 'a lifeline' for professionals whose services are desperately needed by the community.
The upcoming phases entail not only tunnel completion but also plans for eventual two-way traffic flow anticipated for 2027. This timeline, marred by repeated revisions and budget discussions, calls for reassurance from Ginésy, who insists on oversight and monitoring throughout the construction process. "This project seems cursed, and we need clarity moving forward. We've suffered enough inconveniences over the years," he lamented.
Discussions between French and Italian authorities have led to some hopes. Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Minister of Infrastructure, assured commitments to finish the project with targeted timelines. Tabarot reported, "We will reopen the tunnel initially on test mode for 75 days, before the final inauguration planned by June," offering at least some relief to local residents.
Despite these announcements, both Ginésy and Vassallo remain cautiously optimistic. With the future of the Tende tunnel still mired in some uncertainties, the political will demonstrated by both countries may finally lead to much-needed relief for the trans-border communities. For those watching closely, including construction workers and residents, the promise of enhanced connectivity hangs delicately between hope and skepticism. After more than a decade of worries, many are simply eager to see the operation commence.