From Monday, October 14th, until November 28th (a total of 45 days), severe delays are expected on the A24 at the Gran Sasso Tunnel due to essential maintenance work on the Gran Sasso aquifer, a critical water source for the L’Aquila and Teramo provinces. These efforts are part of ongoing measures to protect the aquifer from contamination.
During this period, the 10.2 km tunnel will operate on a single lane for both directions. A barrier and traffic lights will regulate the flow, with each direction open for 5 minutes at a time and traffic in each direction given 20 minutes to pass through the tunnel. Expect significant delays!
To circumnavigate this if coming from Rome
- Drive from L’Aquila Est through to Val Vomano to pick up the A24, 1 hour and 28 minutes
- Via Assergi over the Mountain Pass if there is no snow and it remains open, a total of 1 hour and 57 minutes.
- Alternatively, take the A25 at to Pescara and drive up the coast to Teramo and inland within the province, journey time approximately 3 from Rome to Teramo. via the A14. On this coastal autostrada there are currently also roadworks and single lane traffic.
Facts About the Gran Sasso Tunnel
The tunnel goes under Monte Corno. The crest of Monte Corno has the shape of a horseshoe and boasts four peaks: the East peak (2,903 meters), the Central peak (2,893 meters), the Torrione Cambi, (2,875 meters) -named after a mountaineer who sadly lost his life trying to climb it-, and the West peak (2,912 meters) which is the highest. A very long time ago the Corno Grande was a marine basin formed by coral reefs with shallow waters and rich in corals. This explains why you can still come across fossils of shells and fish when walking under the imposing north face of the mountain. In the middle of the horseshoe lies the remains of what was Europe’s most southerly glacier, the Calderone.
Length: It is one of the longest road tunnels in Europe, spanning about 10.2 kilometers (6.3 miles).
Two Tunnels: The Gran Sasso tunnel system consists of two parallel tunnels, one for each direction of traffic, which significantly improves safety and reduces traffic jams although both tunnels are currently down to single lane traffic.
The A24 Highway: The tunnel is part of the A24 motorway, connecting Rome to Teramo and providing a crucial transportation link between the Adriatic Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Construction: The tunnel was completed in 1984 after almost a decade of construction, designed to improve accessibility through the rugged mountainous terrain of central Italy.
Laboratory: Below the tunnel lies the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (Gran Sasso National Laboratory), one of the largest underground research facilities in the world, used for experiments in particle physics, astrophysics, and geophysics.
Safety Enhancements: Over the years, the tunnel has undergone several safety upgrades, including the installation of advanced ventilation systems and emergency escape routes, ensuring it meets modern safety standards.
Author: Sam Dunham
Sam is a freelance SEO content creator and IGCSE Geography and English teacher at Istituto Cristo Re in Rome. She also runs the Life In Abruzzo Cultural Association, sharing stories and insights about this captivating region.
Alongside raising a teenager, Sam hosts guests at her family’s traditional home, the Little House of the Firefly in Abruzzo, offering a warm welcome and insider tips on local culture, food, and hidden gems.
