© Anne Wolff
Anyone driving at night has probably noticed: twice per year, tunnels are inspected and repairs are carried out.
Biannual tunnel maintenance often means extended detours for motorists, but for the National Roads Administration, these disruptions are essential for the inspection and upkeep of the country's tunnels. During these maintenance periods, teams cover 500-700 meters of tunnel and work mainly at night.
On Tuesday, they worked on the Gousselerbierg tunnel; they inspected the technology and mechanics, as well as the hydrants and fire extinguishing systems, and drains were also cleaned to ensure proper water flow. One issue was detected, and a fan on the ceiling will have to be replaced.
While no major issues were discovered, Service Chief Denis Muller noted that a detailed report will inform whether immediate replacements are necessary or if they can be scheduled with other maintenance.
According to Paul Mangen, Deputy Director of the National Roads Administration, these inspections are mandated by both EU and Luxembourgish laws, and must take place at least twice a year. Extending the intervals could lead to unanticipated failures and prolonged service disruptions. Generally, the tunnels in Luxembourg are in good condition.
The decision to perform these maintenance works at night is aimed at minimising disruptions during the day. However, the question of whether such inspections were generally not conducted during the holiday period was not answered.
For a detailed timetable of the maintenance works, our colleagues at RTL Lëtzebuerg have established a comprehensive list with all the necessary information.
Watch the full report in Luxembourgish
