In December, the Ministry of the Environment aimed to grant approval for the project, but there were delays due to the National Roads Administration not having completed all the required assessments for compensatory measures. These are needed for the for the corresponding Grand-Ducal decree.
While the Minister for Environment Serge Wilmes and his team are ready, this process will likely take an additional couple of weeks according to him. Meanwhile, three Grand-Ducal regulations related to the Käerjeng bypass are scheduled for discussion at the Government Council as early as next week.
The question of whether and when the company Saint-Gobain, whose land is required for the project, will relocate remains unresolved. One potential site that has been mentioned during discussions is in the industrial zone Wolser in Dudelange. According to the Ministry of the Economy, discussions are still ongoing meaning that no decision regarding the site nor the timeframe can be communicated.
Even if a solution is found, resistance from the civil society remains strong. Representatives from the citizen’s action group from Sanem, the not-for-profit association Natur an Ëmwelt and from the Ecological Mouvement (Mouvéco) met Wednesday night. Patrizia Arendt from the citizens’ action group states they will resist until the end.
“The project can only be stopped legally and we are aware of this. However, we are prepared, and we will take action when the time comes. That is, if things are ever solidified, as we have seen instances before where several options were presented then put aside. It’s relatively difficult to reach an agreement, but we remain vigilant.”
The bypass represents an attack on nature, and some question if it’s really needed:
“Alternatives exist. At the moment, there is a building site that leads through the zoning area of the industrial zone. Mr. Wolter had mentioned before that “this will be a disaster; we’ll have total chaos,” but that hasn’t happened. I believe that’s a path we want to continue following.”
Today, there is discussions about whether to request an interview with the new Minister of the Environment or not. However, expectations for such a meeting are not very optimistic.
