There seems to be no respite for the Fréjus railway. After services resumed on 31 March 2025 following an extended closure of nearly nineteen months, the red light was once again switched on on 30 June 2025 due to further issues on the French side, in the Maurienne Valley, triggered by adverse weather. Heavy rainfall caused the Charmaix stream to overflow, in what has been described as the worst flood in the past seventy years, sweeping mud and debris onto the tracks near Modane. As a result, SNCF suspended rail traffic at 5 p.m. on 30 June, stating that the disruption would last “for several days”.
The French railway company is now working to clear the line before carrying out technical inspections to assess any structural damage. If such damage is found, the interruption could be prolonged further. The difficulties along the Fréjus corridor are not limited to rail traffic, as extraordinary maintenance is also affecting the road tunnel throughout July. These works began on 30 June and are expected to conclude on 27 July, with alternating night-time traffic on certain days. The nights with unrestricted passage are 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 26 and 27 July.
