Overview
- The Paso Internacional Cristo Redentor was reopened to 24-hour traffic on Wednesday after Argentina and Chile agreed to reinstate daylight‑saving time, allowing private cars, buses and freight to use the corridor continuously.
- Technical reports from Argentine and Chilean road agencies warned of precipitation and strong gusts for Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th, prompting a binational meeting and a formal decision to suspend transit this weekend.
- Authorities ordered a preventive closure to begin Saturday, with the Uspallata barrier closing at 12:00 and the international tunnel at 14:00, and they said a new status report will be issued next Monday the 21st.
- The closure undercuts an expected surge of Chilean tourists for Chile’s national holiday and slows cross‑border freight flows, a particular strain because other Andean crossings such as Pehuenche and Agua Negra remain closed.
- Officials urged drivers and transport companies to follow official channels for real‑time updates and to plan trips in advance because high‑mountain conditions can change rapidly and require road‑clearing work to restore safe transit.