The Mont Blanc tunnel in the Alps reopened March 9 after being closed almost three years because of a devastating fire. The opening was met with demonstrations from locals protesting the pollution that will accompany the traffic. Initially only cars will be allowed in the tunnel, but trucks carrying heavy goods will get the green light in the coming weeks. The tunnel is a major artery for trade between Italy and northern Europe; some one-third of all its overland trade used to pass through it.
