A mudslide interrupts rail traffic in the Alps

Rail traffic between France and Italy is suspended until 15 August following the exceptionally intense storms in the Rhône-Alpes region on the 2nd of July.

Around 8pm, Tuesday, July 2nd, a 1.80 metre high mudflow formed on the railway track between Saint Michel-Valloire and Modane (Savoie). All freight and passenger transport was therefore interrupted between France and Italy. These are the TGV trains between Paris and Milan, the Italian Thello trains, the regional TER trains and many freight trains between France and Italy, via Modane.

Last night, due to the “orange” storm warning issued by Météo France, it was decided to stop rail traffic in advance. This avoided distress situations for clients.

Between the purge works, the removal of excavated material, the sanitation and the works that will be required on the track, the railway line between Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Modane will be interrupted until August 15. SNCF Réseau teams are fully mobilised to assess the line and define precisely the scope of the works to be carried out, which will determine the normal resumption of traffic.

Adapted transport plans and alternative means of transport are currently being studied.

The RFC Mediterranean is in charge of the international coordination, with the participation of all involved infrastructure managers and RFC North Sea Med.

Information on the deviations will be regularly updated on this website as soon as available.

For more info, please follow this link: https://www.sncf.com/fr/groupe/newsroom/interruption-circulation-savoie