2025
Tende
SMIAGE
Razel-Bec / Garelli
SMIAGE
Reconstruction works on Avraire Road – Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende, 06
Challenge
The reconstruction works on Avraire Road are part of a G2 PRO geotechnical mission, following major damage that occurred during Storm Alex in 2020, which triggered a landslide in the municipality of Tende (06), at the locality of Saint-Dalmas-de-Tende. A detailed study was carried out to identify the causes of instability and to propose appropriate stabilization solutions to ensure the long-term safety of the road and its users.
The affected ground conditions are characterized by a complex geology, consisting of superficial sandy-clayey formations and rock blocks, which are particularly sensitive to variations in water content and erosion processes, thereby increasing the risk of further landslides.
The works include earthworks and reconstruction of the road using reinforced embankments, built directly within the riverbed, as well as the installation of temporary protection measures against rockfall during the construction phase. A permanent stabilization of the slope upstream of the new road is also planned to guarantee long-term stability. The design service life of the structure is estimated at 50 years.
Solution
As part of the geotechnical study, Maccaferri provided technical support to the design office, particularly for the design of retaining structures, rockfall protection, and slope stabilization. This collaboration made it possible to define high-performance solutions, such as the Terramesh® Green system and ParaGrid® geogrids, fully aligned with the site’s geotechnical and hydraulic constraints, for the reconstruction of the road using reinforced embankments.
As the Terramesh® Green system is installed directly within the riverbed, the toe of the embankment is protected by rock riprap, which limits scour caused by river erosion. In addition, an RB 100/UAF rockfall barrier was installed upstream of the new road to provide protection against rockfall events with energies of up to 100 kJ, which may be triggered during heavy rainfall episodes.
Below this rockfall barrier, the slope overlooking the road was stabilized using a soil nailing system combined with a flexible facing, specifically MacArmour® 30×30 BIO. The reinforced mesh features a ZnAl alloy coating (GalMac® C2) and is factory-coupled with a coconut fiber biomat, reducing slope erosion.
The Terramesh® and MacArmour® solutions, with their polymer (PoliMac®) and ZnAl alloy (GalMac® C2) coatings, fully meet the project requirements, particularly in terms of durability, thereby ensuring long-lasting and reliable protection of the infrastructure.
Used Products

MacArmour & SteelGrid
MacArmourMacArmour is a 2-in-1 product that combines a homogeneous structure of bi-directional steel wire ropes with double twist wire mesh. View
TerraMesh
Maccaferri Terramesh® Family includes different facing options to build a Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) structures and Reinforced Soil SlViewMonoAxial GeoGrids
Paragrid™ WAn enhanced high performance knitted geogrid characterized by a very high modulus and the lowest reduction factorViewDrainage Geocomposites
These specialized product families highlight the versatility and adaptability of drainage composites, ensuring they meet the specificView
Rockfall Barriers
Maccaferri Rockfall Barriers (or Catch Fences) are designed to catch falling rocks and boulders before they fall onto infrastructure, mine haul-rView