© Marc Hoscheid
After decades of discussion, the Hosingen bypass is finally taking shape, marking a significant step toward reducing the 17,000 vehicles that pass through the village each day.
Every day, approximately 17,000 vehicles pass through Hosingen, creating significant congestion on the N7, particularly during peak hours. Addressing this longstanding issue, work on a bypass began in June 2023–more than 50 years after the concept was first proposed by local officials when traffic levels were much lower. Now, a year and a half later, the project is entering a crucial new phase.
A massive excavation site near the Hosingen exit toward Marnach has become a prominent feature of the landscape, where 450,000 cubic metres of earth have already been removed. Construction is now underway on a 325-metre tunnel, which will feature two tubes, each accommodating two traffic lanes. Engineers have driven around 4,000 spikes into the rock to stabilise the structure, overcoming challenges posed by complex geological conditions.
The tunnel's concrete vaults will begin to take shape in January 2025, with 12.5 metres completed each week. This phase is expected to be finished by the summer of 2025, after which the excavation site will be filled in.
In addition to the tunnel, the redevelopment and relocation of Route de Bockholtz, including a new bridge, is set to begin in April 2025. A third major component of the bypass–a 100-metre viaduct–will commence construction in 2026.
The bypass will be completed in two stages. The first section, connecting the roundabout south of Hosingen to the junction with Rodershausen, is slated to open in 2028. The second section is expected to be operational by 2030, slightly delayed from the original 2029 target. The entire project has a budget of €155 million.
Once the bypass is operational, traffic will be redirected out of Hosingen's centre, paving the way for extensive redevelopment of the N7 within the village. Post-war infrastructure, such as drainage systems, will be renovated, and a national cycle path will be established alongside expanded and greener pedestrian areas.
The Hosingen bypass is a critical component of broader efforts to enhance safety and accessibility on the N7 between Weiswampach and the Fridhaff roundabout. Work on the overall project should have started already, but that is clearly not the case as of early December.
