French RN20 Rockslide Closure May Last Weeks or Months Near Andorra Border

French authorities anticipate stabilizing the RN20 rockslide slope by Thursday, but repairs to the heavily damaged roadway remain undated, with officials now warning of a closure lasting several weeks or possibly months as technical assessments continue.

The rockfall struck around 2am on 31 January at km 86.5 near Mérens-les-Vals, between L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre and Ax-les-Thermes. About 100 cubic metres of rock fell from a 250-metre-high wall, creating a 20-metre-high, three-metre-wide, six-metre-deep fissure and wrecking 100 metres of pavement. Ariège prefect Hervé Brabant described it as the worst such event in years, triggered by recent heavy rain and snow that left the ground highly unstable. Alpine experts carried out helicopter surveys on Tuesday, revealing ongoing slope risks that have blocked any rock removal from the road. Improved weather enabled NGE contractors, DIRSO road crews, RTM forestry teams, and drones—supervised by gendarmes in a no-fly zone—to begin purging and securing the area despite tough access.

No rocks have been cleared from the carriageway yet, as securing the slope takes priority. Brabant emphasized safety above all, rejecting resource shortages despite Andorra's offers of equipment, staff, Protecció Civil, firefighters, and SUM medics, which France has turned down to rely on its own teams. A detailed technical report is expected Monday, after which repair options like controlled blasting or protective netting will be weighed—netting would prolong the work. French ambassador Nicolas Eybalin, speaking on RTVA's *Avui serà un bon dia*, ruled out reopening before Carnival ends on 18 February, calling it an exceptional natural disaster. He labeled neglect accusations "insulting," pointing to €20 million spent on the anti-avalanche gallery, the Ax-les-Thermes bypass, and planned bilateral upgrades under recent agreements.

Andorra treats the issue as its top priority. Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor holds twice-daily calls with Ariège and Occitanie prefectures. Spokesman Guillem Casal welcomed France's dedication but left open escalating to Coprince Emmanuel Macron to hasten progress, stressing constant contact and offers of aid. Head of Government Xavier Espot met L'Hospitalet mayor Arnaud Diaz on Thursday, renewing emergency service pledges and discussing permanent gendarmerie facilities there to fight smuggling. They aligned Hife buses to 8am departures from L'Hospitalet, matching boosted SNCF rail services—now up to seven daily round trips to Friday between Ax-les-Thermes, Mérens, L'Hospitalet, and La Tour-de-Carol.

A Thursday Pas de la Casa Economic and Social Council session, attended by Espot, Encamp consuls Laura Mas and Xavier Fernàndez, ministers Tor and Raúl Ferrer, Síndic General Carles Ensenyat, and business leaders, reviewed impacts. Espot called outlook unoptimistic, with weeks or months ahead per French views and a key report due Monday. Retailers reported 70% sales drops in shops and eateries—hotels stable so far—and called for customs leeway on larger purchases. They criticized Brabant's comments for fueling anxiety while praising high-level talks. Targeted aid like IGI payment deferrals, CASS employer waivers, and soft loans for small firms (excluding tour operators) awaits approval next week post-sector input.

The shutdown worsens snow and RD66 woes, risking million-euro hits for Grandvalira (10-12% French visitors) and Pas outlets in peak February. Detours via Puigcerdà add up to two hours; Occitanie ramped up rail; Ariège shuttles need pref-defense-protection-civile@ariege.gouv.fr signup; light vehicles take RD119, RD625, RD117, RD118; heavies reroute through Catalonia; an unpaved emergency track serves ambulances only. Officials advise against non-essential trips. Eybalin confirmed Macron's visit for late April, post-French municipal elections.