The motorway, which serves as the main artery for traffic between Luxembourg and France, is used by some 90,000 vehicles every weekday. This is what motivated the expansion of the motorway through the installation of an additional third lane in each direction. While said lanes were initially said to be reserved for buses and car sharing, this decision has been thrown into question recently and authorities are presently declining to comment on whether any usage limitations will be put in place.
The expansion, which started close to three years ago, now faces delays due to missing signs and markings. Initially, the A3 was scheduled to be partially completed by the end of 2024, at least the section between the Gasperich junction and the Berchem service area.
Speaking to RTL, Roland Fox, director of the Roads Authority, explained that a call for tenders to find a supplier for the gantry signs had been issued, but an initially accepted proposal had to be cancelled later on for reasons he did not convey. The question then arose as to whether the specific section should open gradually and temporarily before closing again in part so that works can be completed, or stay shut altogether until everything is ready.
The latter option, to which the Roads Authority is now committed, means that the reopening of the section will be delayed until March.
The wildlife bridge on the border between Luxembourg and France is almost complete, while other bridges are in the pipeline, Fox further noted. The total expansion of the 11.5-km-long motorway should be completed by 2030: “This is the normal schedule that has been adopted, as we do for every project, including perhaps a little wiggle room, but without anticipating a major breakdown”, says Fox.
