(September 2) The highway 7 tunnel to Chile did not open this morning, for the first time since August 3rd, according to Dirección Nacional de Vialidad (DNV) (National Transit Authority) and Gendarmerie, who during winter storm seasons often have to change operating hours of the “Cristo Redentor” tunnel that connects Argentina and Chile via the Mendoza province. Heavy snowfall at the border prompted Chilean authorities to initiate the closure. We will monitor the situation throughout the day as they may or may not open it later today. Meanwhile, cargo trucks have been instructed to wait at the usual staging area just west of Uspallata.
September 2 Weather Notes for the high Andes west of Mendoza City:
The National Meteorological Service (SMN) of Argentina has an open alert for strong winds, cold temperatures, and snowfall in the high Andes of Mendoza.
Vehicles without tire chains in trunks may not be permitted to travel the route between Uspallata and the Chilean border during fall, winter, and spring.
Winter 2010 non-storm operating hours
9:00 am : Only cargo trucks and sometimes some or all lighter traffic
10:30am : All lighter traffic
Closed daily at 9pm. Tunnel is aprox 75 minutes farther from Uspallata by car in good weather during daylight hours.
Average non-storm winter travel times between the border and Mendoza city:
- Mendoza-Potrerillos: 1 hour+ along one and sometimes two lane highway, knowing you are geting close when you see the lake.
- Potrerillos-Uspallata: 1 hour+ along one lane curvy river-side highway, knowing you are getting closer after several short tunnels up higher.
- Uspallata-the border: 1 hour+ along one, two, and "three lane" highway, passing through spectacular Andes geology, ski and sledding centers, "Puente Del Inca" , the entrance to Aconcagua mountain, the historically unique village of Las Cuevas, and then arriviing at the toll booth at the border.
Car/Bus Winter Travel Notes:
- During winter storms, the DNV and/or Gendarmerie often have to additionally regulate the traffic flow back & forth between Uspallata and the border tunnel to Chile.
- This could result in additional delays of 30 minutes to several hours or more with possible stayovers options in villages Uspallata and sometimes Potrerillos for more than a day.
- Sometimes, during the seasons, Chilean Authoritie may also close their side of the tunnel due to storms on the west side of the Andes, thus auto-closing the Argentinean side and ensuing backup to Uspallata.
2010 Tunnel closure history:
September 2 - closed
August 3 - re-opened
August 1 - closed
July 31 - re-opened
July 30 - closed
July 25 - re-opened
July 21 -closed
July 7 - re-opened
July 6 - closed part day
June 25 - re-opened
June 23 - closed
June 19 - re-opened
June 18 - closed
June 17 - re-opened
June 16 - closed
June 15 - re-opened
June 14 - closed
May 30 - re-opened
May 29 - closed
May 23 - re-opened
May 22 - closed
May 16 - re-opened
May 14 - closed
May 6 - re-opened
May 6 - closed for first time this season
The Mendoza Sun (Updated September 2)
