On Tuesday morning, the tram arrived at Findel Airport after a slow 30-minute journey from Luxexpo, marking the start of tests for the final section of the T1 tram line.
With Minister Backes, Mayor Polfer, and Niederanven Mayor Fréd Ternes present, the test tram left the new Héienhaff P+R stop, moving slowly at 5 km/h to check the platform and ensure no obstacles. The tram made its way to Findel Airport, carrying technical teams and the press, but no passengers.
"Everything is great!" said Yuriko Backes, Minister of Mobility and Public Works, as the tram completed its trip. The line, which has been running to the National Stadium near Cloche d'Or since July 2024, was missing only the final stretch.
Now, the T1 line is complete, with the first work starting in February 2016 in Kirchberg.
"This is an important moment for mobility in our country and the City of Luxembourg," said Minister Backes. Lydie Polfer, mayor of Luxembourg-City, called it "a major step forward" for improving quality and comfort for passengers.
The Kirchberg-Findel section, initially expected to open this autumn, will now open in March 2025 due to delays in construction. The first test of the tram on the new section took place on Tuesday morning at 8am.
The new section with its two new stations – Park&Ride Héienhaff and Findel Luxembourg-Airport – is expected to be fully operational by March next year.
The static and dynamic testing of the new tram line continues this Tuesday afternoon, with a gradual increase in tram speed on the new platform.
"We will progressively increase the tram's speed until it reaches its nominal speed of 70 km/h along the Grünewald forest (parallel to the A1 motorway). Simultaneously, we are conducting location tests to ensure the tram is detected accurately by road traffic signals at all times. We will also test the power supply system to maintain functionality in case of a power outage," explained Helge Dorstewitz, the director of Luxtram.
