Status Open 24 hrs/day Constructed 1999–2002 Traffic Automotive | Work begun August 1999 Opened 2002 Number of lanes 2 | |
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Operator Globalvia Inversiones, S.A.U. | ||
The Envalira Tunnel runs between Pas de la Casa near the border with France and Grau Roig (Ski resort), it enables its users to avoid the Envalira Pass. It is amongst the highest road tunnels in Europe.
Contents
Map of T%C3%BAnel d'Envalira, AD200 Encamp, Andorra
Although situated within the borders of Andorra, the entrance at Pas de la Casa can only be reached via a bridge that is situated in France. The Andorra/France border post is therefore situated a short distance within France at the start of the access bridge. On the French side it is connected to the RN22 and on the Andorran side to the CGII.
Plans for a tunnel were developed in Andorra during the late 1950s. In 1963, the Envalira Tunnel design tender was awarded to French engineers Semet and Phillip Studies, and subsequent negotiations were conducted for years and the access roads were improved. In June 1, 1999, Spanish companies FCC and NECSO (today ACCIONA) began construction work on the Grau Roig side of the massif; and in August 2, 1999, work began on the Pas de la Casa side.
Operator & Concession
The Tunnel is operated by Globalvia (a joint venture between Spanish companies Caja Madrid and FCC) as a toll tunnel. The concession period is for 50 years. The construction cost was 11 Bn Pesetas (approx. 80 Million Euros).