For the thousands of commuters, tourists, and residents who rely on the daily connection between France and Italy, the wait is finally over. As of Wednesday 3rd June, the Saint-Ludovic border crossing—the primary coastal gateway linking Menton and Ventimiglia—has officially reopened to two-way traffic during daytime hours.
The crossing had been under total lockdown since January to accommodate extensive infrastructure upgrades, including critical tunnel renovations and a major overhaul of the esplanade near the customs station. While the closure was a necessary step for modernisation, it forced months of logistical challenges upon those navigating the border region.
A strategic relief for commuters
Motorists will undoubtedly welcome the news. Prior to the closure, 14,000 transits – 7,000 outbound and 7,000 inbound – were recorded daily on the coastal border, among them many commuters travelling to Monaco for work.
“I am delighted by the reopening of the Saint-Ludovic border,” said Menton Mayor Alexandra Masson during the inauguration ceremony held on 3rd June. “This is an essential axis for our residents, cross-border workers, and the economic vitality of our territory.”
Operational status
While the route is now accessible, construction remains ongoing. To facilitate the final phase of the project, authorities have implemented a specific schedule. The road is open to traffic in both directions between 6am and 9pm. Outside of these hours, the crossing is closed to all traffic to allow for continuous work on the site.
Meanwhile, the project timeline has been accelerated. Initial plans suggested a four-month primary closure followed by eight months of alternating one-way traffic. Following a six-month total closure—interrupted only for the Menton Lemon Festival—daytime two-way traffic has been restored ahead of the original schedule.
Strengthening trans-border ties
Beyond the asphalt and concrete, the reopening serves as a symbol of the deepening cooperation between Menton and its Italian neighbour. Standing alongside Ventimiglia Mayor Flavio Di Muro, Mayor Masson emphasised that the initiative is part of a broader vision for the region.
“This reopening illustrates the importance of the bonds that unite our two cities,” Masson added. “The future of our territory depends on ever-closer cooperation between both sides of the border, particularly regarding mobility, economic development, and tourism.”
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Photo source: Ville de Menton