Roadwork on RD1091 through October 30, 2026
> Road closure times and 3 alternative routes to Serre Chevalier Briançon (Gap, Galibier, Fréjus Tunnel).
Access to Serre Chevalier Briançon: Road RD1091 under construction through October 30—what are the alternatives?
Traffic updates – last updated September 7, 2026
Are you planning a trip to Serre Chevalier Briançon this fall and usually take the Col du Lautaret route? The Isère Department is carrying out major safety improvements on the RD1091, near the Commères and Infernet tunnels (Le Bourg-d’Oisans / Mont-de-Lans), from September 7 to October 30, 2026.
>Here’s what you need to know before hitting the road, and the best ways to reach the valley stress-free.
What to Expect from the Roadwork on the RD1091
Safety improvementsare underway in the Commères and Infernet tunnels, disrupting traffic on the Grenoble–Bourg-d’Oisans–Col du Lautaret route—the main route from Isère to Serre Chevalier and Briançon.
Traffic can still pass in alternating directions almost all the time, except during occasional full closures:
• September 7: Road closed from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Le Clapier–Rivoire section)
• September 14 through October 2: road closed from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ( Le Clapier–Freney section)
• October 30: road closed from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Le Clapier–Rivoire section)
Good news: the road will remain open every weekend, with alternating traffic.
If your stay in Serre Chevalier begins or ends on a Saturday or Sunday, you shouldn’t encounter any complete road closures, but please be prepared to exercise a little patience while you’re there.
Our tips for planning your trip
Before you leave, here’s a simple tip: check itinisere.fr for real-time traffic conditions on the RD1091. Closure times may change depending on the progress of construction.
If your route takes you along this road on weekdays—especially during periods of full closure—here are three alternatives for reaching Serre Chevalier Briançon.
Alternative 1: Take the route through Gap
From Grenoble or the Isère department, you can completely bypass the construction zone by heading to Briançon from the south, via Gap and then the RN94 (through the Durance Valley, passing through Embrun). This route is longer in kilometers but completely avoids the construction sites at Les Commères and L’Infernet, which may actually be faster and, above all, more reliable during closure hours.
This is the safest option if you’re traveling on weekdays and don’t want to risk any delays.
Alternative 2: Take the Col du Galibier, as long as it’s open
If you’re coming from Savoie (Maurienne, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Valloire), the Col du Galibier remains an option for reaching the Col du Lautaret and then Serre Chevalier, avoiding the section under construction on the Isère side. Be aware, however: the Galibier is a mountain pass that closes seasonally, usually when the first snow falls—often in October, depending on weather conditions. Check whether it’s open just before you leave, especially if you’re planning to visit in late October.
Alternative 3: Take the Fréjus Tunnel
For visitors coming from Italy or Savoie, the Fréjus Tunnel allows you to reach the Maurienne region and then Briançon via the Montgenèvre Pass, completely avoiding the uncertainties of the RD1091 and the seasonal closure of the Galibier. This option requires a fee (tunnel toll), but it offers reliable access year-round, regardless of conditions on the Alpine passes.
In summary
| Route | Advantage | Things to Plan For |
| RD1091 via Bourg-d’Oisans / Lautaret | The most direct route from Grenoble | Alternate route + complete closures on certain days through October 30 |
| Via Gap and the RN94 | Completely bypasses the construction zone | Longer route |
| Via the Col du Galibier | Alternative route from Savoie | May close as soon as the first snow falls |
| Via the Fréjus Tunnel | Reliable year-round | Toll |
No matter your route, be sure to check real-time traffic conditions before hitting the road, especially if you’re traveling on weekdays between September 7 and October 30, 2026. We wish you a wonderful stay in Serre Chevalier Briançon!