Overview
- Argentine and Chilean border coordinators ordered the Paso Cristo Redentor closed for the whole day on Thursday because persistent snowfall and technical road reports made high‑altitude transit unsafe.
- The crossing was first closed Tuesday evening with barriers lowered at Uspallata and Guardia Vieja and the international tunnel stopped at 19:00, then reopened Wednesday from 10:00 to 21:00 under winter hours before Thursday’s full closure.
- Authorities require all vehicles to carry snow chains whenever the pass reopens and said they will hold daily evaluations to decide future openings based on evolving forecasts and road-condition reports.
- Local outlets reported social‑media videos showing two trucks performing dangerous overtaking maneuvers on Ruta 7 shortly before the closure, behavior officials warn would greatly increase crash and strand risk during snow events.
- The shutdown disrupts passenger travel and freight flows on the main Argentina–Chile corridor, so officials urge travelers to plan ahead, avoid mountain travel while conditions persist, and follow official Cristo Redentor channels for updates.