Access to La Grave, Serre Chevalier and beyond

Last Spring the 1091 was closed at the Chambon Dam due to the mountain unexpectedly falling into the lake taking part of the Chambon Tunnel with it. Heroic work by the road builders, who have converted a path into a road over the summer on the other side of the lake, has now resulted in the road being open again.
Here is a short video which shows what the road is like (French):
There is more info/pix here (French): http://www.skipass.com/news/126568-la-route-de-secours-du-chambon-es.html

Essentially the road will be open to vehicles under 3.5t without trailers; so normal cars and mini-busses will be OK. The road is in an exposed position for avalanches and will be shut without notice if conditions warrant it.
There are traffic lights to control traffic as some parts are narrow. There may be other controls at peak times.
Its also possible that access to L2A will be affected as the new road starts some 100m up the road to L2A.

Those of you driving to Serre Chevalier might be interested in the offer by the SC tourist Office of cheaper tickets through the Fréjus Tunnel.
You have to bring some paperwork (this is France) proving that you are staying in the area.
Full details here: http://www.serrechevalier-reservation.com/en/pass-frejus/fp-pass-tunnel-du-frejus-7201.html
You will still have to get over the col de Montgenèvre but it might save you some time/miles.

Thanks for posting that - great info on SkiPass.

For those unfamiliar with the area, the D1091 is the road that runs East/West over the Col du Lauteret. You've got Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez on the West (of the new road) and La Grave and Serre Chevalier to the East.

It's a fantastically scenic road but gets blocked by heavy snow at times in most winters; the new road looks like it might be "interesting" when the weather closes in! :shock:

If you're driving to Serre Che this winter, then plan to go via the Italian side... and if you're heading up to La Grave (between the collapsed tunnel/new road and the Col) it might be as well to be prepared for a long stay (if you can get there in the first place)... :lol:

For clarity, check this link to Google Maps

I have driven that road a number of times and wasn't aware of the collapse. Thanks for the heads up.