End of the Wait: The Most Important Border Crossing Between Argentina and Chile Reopens with Restrictions
The Cristo Redentor Pass, also known as the Uspallata Pass, is the main land connection between Argentina and Chile. Located in the Andes at an altitude of over 3,200 meters, it links the province of Mendoza with the Chilean capital, Santiago. This corridor is crucial for bilateral trade, as a significant portion of goods exchanged between the two countries transits through here.
After 34 days of uninterrupted closure due to intense snowstorms in the Andes, the Cristo Redentor Integrated System will be operational again starting this Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The reopening, confirmed by the border coordination authorities of Argentina and Chile, will be implemented under a strict scheme that prioritizes cargo transport and leaves tourist traffic suspended.
According to the National Directorate of Technical Border Affairs, under the Vice-Chief of Cabinet of the Interior, during the first five days circulation will be exclusively reserved for cargo trucks. The goal is to relieve the thousands of units stranded on the route, whose forced inactivity since July 14 has generated strong complaints from the logistics sector, with estimated losses of 600 dollars per truck per day.
Opening Schedule: Days and Times
The contingency plan establishes a clear calendar to avoid congestion and ensure smooth flow:
| Date | Direction | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19, and Thursday 20 August | Argentina → Chile | From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Argentine time) |
| Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August | Chile → Argentina | From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Argentine time) |
In Chile, the time will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. During these days, the stretch between the A.C.I. Uspallata and the tunnel entrance will be exclusively for trucks heading from Mendoza to Chile. Internal tourism from Uspallata is suspended, and authorities will inform 'in due course' about conditions for smaller vehicles, buses, and tourism.
Encapsulation Operation: How the Crossing is Organized
This Monday afternoon, the protocol agreed upon between Argentine and Chilean authorities began to activate. Gendarmería Nacional coordinates a 'safety capsule' operation to move trucks from the Uspallata parking lots to Punta de Vacas, where they will wait for the tunnel to open.
According to the newspaper Los Andes, the exit of vehicles from the parking lots of the YPF service station and the former EG3 (Parador Doña Carmen) was enabled. However, authorities detected that many trucks are without their drivers or that there are semi-trailers without tractors, so transporters were urged to return to the parking points.
In parallel, the transfer of vehicles from Luján de Cuyo to the A.C.I. of Uspallata is being monitored to relieve the high-mountain parking lots. Trucks parked along National Route 7 in the Eastern Zone of Mendoza will be able to access the Luján parking lot.
More than 500 Trucks Await to Be the First to Cross
According to El Sol, more than 500 trucks are waiting at the Uspallata posts to be the first to cross, while another 800 are distributed at different points along the route. The contingency plan, designed with participation from the Ministries of Production and Security of Mendoza, the Municipality of Luján de Cuyo, Vialidad Nacional, and trucking chambers (Aprocam and ACCUM), includes three parking lots in Uspallata with capacity for 550 spaces and two 'lungs' in Luján for local transport.
The 34-day closure is the longest in the history of the pass, surpassing previous records. The accumulated snowfall in the area reached between 60 and 100 centimeters, according to the National Meteorological Service, which maintained orange alerts for several days.
Economic Impact and Expectations
The logistics sector estimates million-dollar losses due to inactivity. Each stopped truck represents a cost of 600 dollars per day, not counting perishable cargo that may have been damaged. The exclusive reopening for cargo aims to speed up bilateral trade, which depends heavily on this corridor.
Authorities warn that the operation is dynamic and that weather conditions could modify the schedule. Transporters are recommended to stay informed through the official channels of Vialidad Nacional and Gendarmería.
Sources: Rosario3, Los Andes, El Sol de Mendoza