RN20 France–Andorra closed for weeks

The main route linking France with Andorra, RN20, is impassable on the Ax-les-Thermes – Mérens-les-Vals section following a serious rockslide on 31 January.

Approximately 100 m³ of rock fell onto the road from a height of around 250 m, destroying about 100 metres of carriageway. Due to the risk of further rockfalls, the poor condition of the road and unfavourable weather conditions, the Prefecture of the Ariège department has officially extended the closure “until further notice and most likely for several weeks”.

RN20 is the main access road from France to Andorra and is regularly used by heavy goods vehicles carrying out destination traffic (deliveries, loading/unloading).
The current closure of RN20 means that heavy goods vehicles are unable to pass in either direction. The designated diversion route is not accessible to trucks. As a result, road deliveries to Andorra are severely disrupted or impossible.

Transport operations must therefore be:
– postponed,
– reoranised (rail transport combined with local distribution),
– or rerouted via Spain (longer and more costly).