The Mont Blanc Tunnel

MONTE BIANCO: HISTORY OF THE TUNNEL BORN TWICE

20 October 1965. The first truck to enter the Mont Blanc tunnel is Italian, the first of the 22 million that will pass from Italy to France and vice versa in 50 years. The story of the longest road tunnel in Europe, 11 and a half kilometers from Courmayeur to Chamonix, is mainly a story of trucks, a fundamental node for the exchange between Italy and Northern Europe. An exciting story, which takes place in one of the most evocative natural settings. In 23 chapters illustrated with hundreds of photos, many of which are unpublished, the narrative unfolds starting from 1946, the year of a first clumsy attempt which immediately foundered. In 1954, Italy and France signed the preliminary planning agreement. A decade will be enough to complete the work. The heart of the publication is dedicated to the tragedy of 1999 and the subsequent reconstruction: conducted with the most modern means, with the aim of avoiding the repetition of even the smallest disaster. Since the reopening of the tunnel in 2002, the Mont Blanc tunnel has presented itself as the safest in the world.