The investment will improve road safety and modernise the tunnel, bridges and viaducts along the 80km route.
The A32 is one of Europe’s key road arteries and an integral part of the Mediterranean Corridor of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
The European Investment Bank has granted a direct loan of around €105m to Società Italiana per il Traforo Autostradale del Frejus (SITAF). In addition, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) has provided €92m and UniCredit €50m. The financing is in addition to the €320m provided in 2013 for the construction of the second T4 tunnel, which is expected to open by the end of this year.
The 12.87km Fréjus tunnel, commissioned in 1980, is a single tube with bi-directional traffic. A key link between the Savoie and the Piedmont, it is one of the main road routes for crossing the northern Alps.
SITAF CEO Claudio Vezzosi said: “This funding will enable SITAF to make the planned investment to improve safety on the key artery for Italy and Europe, making it more resilient, digital and sustainable.”
