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Fréjus Railway Is Reopening in March, But How Long Will It Remain Relevant?

Fréjus Railway Is Reopening in March, But How Long Will It Remain Relevant?
photo: Florian Pépellin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0/Fréjus railway line near Exilles in Susa Valley, Italy.
23 / 01 / 2025

France and Italy’s key rail artery is finally coming back to life. After nearly 600 days of closure, the Fréjus Railway’s reopening promises to restore vital cross-border connections and economic lifelines, but for how long?

The Fréjus Railway, also known as the Mont Cenis Tunnel on the French side, has been closed since 27 August 2023, when a massive landslide in Saint-André à La Praz destroyed critical sections of the railway infrastructure, as previously reported by RAILTARGET. The closure halted passenger and freight services on one of Europe’s most vital cross-border rail links. Finally, after 582 days of closure, the critical Fréjus Railway, connecting France and Italy, is set to reopen on 31 March 2025, as announced by Alain Krakovitch, Director for TGV-Intercités at SNCF.

The Landslide's Widespread Impact on Fréjus Railway

The landslide, which occurred in the French Alps, displaced 5,000 cubic meters of rock, burying a 300-meter-long rail tunnel under debris and rendering the route impassable, as RailFreight notes. The event dealt a severe blow to the rail freight industry between Italy and France, which relied heavily on the Fréjus Railway as a key transportation artery.

Freight operators have faced estimated losses of tens of millions of euros annually, with rerouted shipments causing delays and increased costs. Rail industry associations from both countries have been vocal about the financial strain, calling on their respective governments to step in with support measures.

Passenger services were equally affected. According to RailTech, Trenitalia’s flagship high-speed MilanParis service, launched only two years prior to the landslide, was abruptly suspended. Other cross-border connections, including links between Turin, Chambéry, and Lyon, were either canceled or rerouted, leaving travelers with limited options and longer journey times, according to RAILTARGET.

Overcoming Unforeseen Challenges and Foreseen Opening Date

Restoring the railway proved to be a far more complex and time-consuming task than initially anticipated. As per information from RailTech, stabilizing the precarious cliffs around the landslide site required extensive engineering work, including the use of dynamite to clear rock formations. Only after securing the area in November 2024 could repair crews focus on rebuilding the buried rail tunnel and restoring essential infrastructure, such as catenary lines and signaling systems.

The restoration process faced multiple delays, with initial reopening estimates continually pushed back. This left both freight operators and passengers in limbo, uncertain when regular services would resume. According to RailwayPROSNCF provided temporary bus services to maintain some level of connectivity, but these solutions were far from ideal.

After months of speculation, Krakovitch’s announcement on X has brought clarity to the situation. "We are going to reopen our connections between Paris and Italy!" the SNCF executive stated. "Turin and Milan are once again 100 percent accessible on TGV Inoui after some difficult months following the Maurienne landslide. But without ever letting our customers down: a bus service was offered in the affected section. Reopening on 31 March."

Passenger trains bound for France from Italy are expected to resume operations on 1 April 2025, just one day after the line officially reopens. However, details regarding the resumption of freight services remain unclear.

The prolonged closure of the Fréjus Railway caused financial losses and led to increasing frustration among political leaders on both sides of the border. The delays in reopening the line sparked criticism, with some officials questioning the speed of the restoration efforts.

The Future of the Fréjus Railway

While the reopening of the Fréjus Railway is a major relief for the rail industry, its importance may diminish in the coming years. The Lyon–Turin high-speed railway, currently under construction, as previously reported by RAILTARGET, is expected to replace the Fréjus route as the primary link between France and Italy when it opens in 2033. Until then, the Fréjus Railway remains an indispensable connection, so travelers can look forward to seamless journeys between Turin, Milan, and Paris once again.

Source: RAILTARGET; RailTech; RailFreight; RailwayPRO; Alain Krakovitch on X (Twitter)

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