France Reopens Andorra Border to Light Vehicles After Snow Closures

**France Reopens Andorra Border to Light Vehicles After Weekend Closures Due to Severe Weather**

French authorities have reopened access to Andorra from the RN320 and RN22 routes for light vehicles and tourist cars as of 10:00 this morning, following an improvement in weather conditions. The decision, announced by Andorra's Department of Mobility, lifts full closures that began Friday evening, though restrictions persist for heavy goods vehicles over 19 tonnes and the Col de Puymorens stretch of the RN320 remains closed.

The phased restrictions, imposed by France's Direction Interdépartementale des Routes du Sud-Ouest (DIRSO), had effectively isolated Andorra via French borders from Friday, 13 February at 21:00—initially extended to 22:00 at some points—through Sunday morning. Heavy vehicles over 19 tonnes were banned on the RN20, RN320 and RN22 between Foix and Ur, including Andorra entry points, until Monday, 16 February at 20:00. Full closures applied to the RN320 from Col de Puymorens to La Croisade and the RN320/RN22 (66) to Pas de la Casa for all vehicles, including buses and light vehicles, until Sunday at 08:00 or further notice.

Authorities cited heavy snow, strong winds and ice as risks, with ongoing monitoring allowing for potential reversals if conditions worsen. The Department of Mobility and DIRSO advise drivers to check road status, delay non-essential trips and prepare for hazards like snow at high elevations and gusts.

These measures follow separate challenges on the RN20, closed since late January between Mérens-les-Vals and Ax-les-Thermes due to a major landslide. France rejected Andorra's offer of personnel and equipment to aid safety works, a decision the Andorran government called disappointing and lacking detailed justification. Officials highlighted economic impacts, particularly on Pas de la Casa, which accounts for about 20% of GDP. Andorra has responded with ski pass discounts at Grandvalira for affected visitors, weekly 30-euro fuel vouchers for residents of nearby French departments, and expanded free shuttle services from L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre.

Meanwhile, opposition party Concòrdia has urged the government to commission risk assessments for key access roads like the RN20 from Ax-les-Thermes, plus relevant sections of the RN116 and N145, to prioritize infrastructure upgrades in joint plans with France and Spain. They stress the need for a six-to-seven-year intervention roadmap, noting recent joint funding for the Parallaus H2 gallery but gaps in preventive work at the landslide site. Spanish border routes remain open throughout.