RN-20 Landslide Repairs Near Andorra to Take 3 Months, Devastating Pas de la Casa Economy

French authorities have confirmed that repairs to the RN-20 landslide near Merens-les-Vals will take at least three months, with the road closed between Ax-les-Thermes and L'Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre until late April. The technical report, delivered to Andorra's government on Monday, outlines major work including slope stabilisation with protective netting and full road resurfacing, ruling out any partial reopening for safety reasons. Territory Minister Raul Ferré stressed that urgent procedures cannot shorten the timeline, pointing to a 500-tonne boulder among the debris alongside rocks weighing eight and 13 tonnes. Stabilisation began Monday under specialised agencies, though weather could cause delays. Ariège prefect Hervé Brabant called the event—nearly 100 cubic metres of rock from a 250-metre-high wall—exceptional for the risk zone.

Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor, with Finance Minister Ramon Lladós and Ferré, confirmed at a Monday press conference that France will cover all costs as the damage lies on its territory. French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot is personally overseeing urgent procedures. The landslide struck in the early hours of 31 January, severely disrupting the main Toulouse-Andorra route and amplifying economic strain on Pas de la Casa, where French visitors drive 95% of winter traffic.

Businesses there report turnover drops of up to 70-90%, initially hitting retail and restaurants but now endangering hotels, tourist apartments and the ski station. AEAT's Àlex Ruiz flagged risks to Carnival bookings on 22-23 February, with potential ERTE furloughs or rent relief. Encamp major councilor Laura Mas pledged full support, promising an extraordinary council session soon for aid modelled on 2019 landslide relief, including hygiene, terrace and residency tax waivers. She described the impact as a "very hard blow" in peak winter season, urging stronger promotion of alternatives like northern Cerdanya routes, trains to L'Hospitalet with shuttles to Pas de la Casa, and domestic tourism. Avancem's Marta Pujol welcomed the commitment, noting lower Pas businesses face the steepest losses.

Government aid will feature in Wednesday's Council of Ministers, with IGI deferrals, CASS exemptions, Covid-style loans and comú utility waivers tied to prior-year losses. This follows Thursday's Economic and Social Council session in Pas de la Casa involving Head of Government Xavier Espot, Mas, ministers Tor and Ferré, Síndic General Carles Ensenyat and sector figures.

Parliamentary groups pressed for speed. Demòcrates' Jordi Jordana backed executive plans once sectors are defined. Andorra Endavant's Carine Montaner urged quick tax and contribution rebates plus exceptional funding, calling it a national crisis. Concórdia's Cerni Escalé faulted delays and route vulnerabilities, seeking joint France risk assessments, better signage, payroll aid and RN-20 safety investments with faster protocols. Social Democrats' Susanna Vela wants force majeure payments; Pujol prioritised grants over loans with local promotion.

Detours via Spain's Riu Runer congest N-145 (km 9-6), CG-1 at Avinguda Tarragona, CG-2 to Encamp and CG-3 to La Massana, with Sunday southbound delays from Epizen. Andorra Turismo advises French routes, including six daily Pas de la Casa church shuttles to L'Hospitalet station—details via LiO Occitanie or +376 843 166. The RD66 from Perpignan to Puigcerdà reopened Friday. Brabant emphasised daily SNCF shuttles from Ax-les-Thermes to Latour-de-Carol as the valley's only direct link for essential travel.

In L'Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre, mayor Arnaud Diaz warned of nearly 100 jobs at risk across retail, restaurants, transport and industry. A 7 February SNCF Network local action halted Toulouse-Latour-de-Carol trains during zone A school holidays (Bordeaux, Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand), which he dubbed "the cherry on top," stranding locals on long detours despite limited buses for skiers. Diaz invited strikers to witness hardships, demanding emergency funds, supply fixes, national promotion and coordinated messaging ahead of a prefect-led crisis meeting next week. Prior sessions involved Mérens-les-Vals and L'Hospitalet firms; another follows tomorrow with officials. French state services offered weekly monitoring, possible social charge waivers or treasury aid.