A major maintenance project replaced the 16‑metre footbridge that links the twin summits of the Aiguille du Midi in the Mont Blanc massif after nearly 70 years of service. The new steel walkway was designed to resist extreme alpine winds — engineers say it can withstand gusts of up to 254 km/h — and was transported to the summit by helicopter as part of a carefully staged operation. The works were carried out in late 2025 and required months of preparation before the final lift and installation.
How the replacement was executed
A specialized crew of high‑altitude technicians carried out the installation at about 3,800 metres above sea level. The replacement structure weighed over two tons and was installed in severe conditions (temperatures down to around −20°C during preparation and winds on the day of installation), yet the on‑site swap itself took a remarkably short time — roughly one hour for the final placement — thanks to helicopter delivery and a coordinated team of eight experienced workers. Local operators also warned that the visitor route at the summit would be disrupted for the duration of the safety works
