© Didier Weber / RTL
To many local residents, it seems that every time there is a light at the end of the tunnel, the bypass project in Bascharage is sent back to square one.
The project for the construction of a bypass in Bascharage has been through a lot: It has been amended multiple times, has led to conflicts between neighbouring communes, and even triggered a protest by environmentalists. The project has been on the backburner for almost 35 years.
A month ago, the municipal council of Bascharage was full of hope; all that was missing for this umpteenth procedure was a signature from the Ministry of the Environment. At this point, Minister for Mobility François Bausch presented a revised version of the concept, this time with a tunnel. According to Bausch, this is only "an option." The Minister stressed that the most important thing is that the project is legally sound, with minimal impact on the Bobësch forest and a Natura 2000 area. While the project from 2016 remains in place, there may be "adaptations," Bausch said. The bypass project is expected to pass through the government council before the summer.
"I want to build the bypass," the Minister stressed, "but I also want to tell the government council and the public what I think." He pointed out that he could have chosen a different approach: "I could also have said: I'll drag it out a bit more, then I'll put it off until after the election and then the next person can figure out how to deal with it. That is not my way of doing things. I want to be honest with the people and build the bypass."
Bausch also made it clear that decisions should not be taken "behind closed doors" in the government council.
"Of course, I want to call the two communes first, show them the complete project, and tell them that in my opinion, the government must now make a decision. Of course, the communes will be informed," the Minister said.
