© Domingos Oliveira
After long discussions, the authorities have decided to proceed with the construction of a roundabout on the N7 in Roost, without waiting for Google to take a decision regarding a possible data centre.
On 22 November 2019, the preliminary draft for the two-kilometre-long redesign of the N7 in Roost was approved by Minister for Mobility François Bausch. Since then, however, little progress has been made.
One reason for this was that the ghost of a Google data centre haunted the municipality of Bissen. The roundabout was never built as it was unclear where the supply lines of the hypothetical future data centre would be installed, and the authorities did not want to have to reopen the road later.
In early November 2022, the local section of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) proposed, via RTL, drafting a temporary solution to the current situation, which the party described as "dangerous." François Bausch said in an interview with RTL Télé that his services were looking into the possibility of a temporary solution.
After a visit to the United States in mid-March, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel announced that the data centre project in Bissen was "no longer a priority" for Google. The mayor of Bissen, David Viaggi, from the citizens' list Är Leit, did not appreciate that he had to learn about this through the press, nor did he like the discussion about a temporary solution.
For this reason, municipal representatives met with the Minister for Mobility on 30 March to discuss the urgency of relieving traffic congestion at the intersection. Road traffic has increased again in recent months, owing to new companies settling in Roost, among other things.
In an interview with RTL, Viaggi stated that François Bausch had reiterated his intention to act as soon as possible. The idea of a temporary solution is off the table, and the authorities have stated unequivocally that they will no longer wait for Google to make a decision.
Several contracts for the required right of way have already been signed several years ago and appointments to secure the remaining land are to be made within the next two weeks. Once the right of way is fully completed, the tender can be launched.
Three roundabouts will be built along the two-kilometer route as part of the N7 redevelopment: one at the Creos workshops, which will lead to the 'Am Séif' industrial zone, another at the junction with Bissen and Cruchten, and a third about 500 metres further on, which was meant to lead to the data centre.