© RTL-Archiv
The long-awaited redevelopment of the Alzette Valley is moving forward, with the first stage of works in the municipality of Walferdange set to begin in spring 2026.
The project will not only include a complete reconstruction of the main road but also major underground works, such as the overhaul of the underground drainage network.
At a public information meeting on Tuesday evening, local residents were briefed by municipal officials and representatives from the National Roads Administration about the upcoming works. The first section will stretch from the roundabout near the shopping centre to the town hall, and the second from there past the police station to the supermarket towards Beggen.
Walferdange mayor François Sauber of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) said the project would bring improvement for everyone, whether travelling on foot, by bicycle, car, or bus. He explained that the first phase was expected to take around 550 working days, but the municipality had insisted on speeding up the process: the site will operate in two shifts, from Monday to Saturday, to reduce the disruption for residents. Although Sauber acknowledged that this approach will be more expensive, he emphasised that the priority is the comfort and well-being of the local population.
The redevelopment will not only provide a new road layout and drainage system but will also introduce a 30 km/h zone around the town hall. Trees will be planted wherever possible, and permeable surfaces will be used to help absorb rainwater and prevent flooding during heavy downpours.
According to first alderwoman Jessie Thill from The Greens (déi gréng), the project is also an opportunity to redesign the town's central square, which is currently used mainly as a car park. She noted that this would include measures to replace sealed surfaces with permeable ones. Thill gave the example of replacing the asphalt with an eco-friendly paving system that allows water to evaporate naturally, which would help to cool the surrounding space.
During the meeting, one resident asked whether the roadworks would finally solve the problem of houses shaking when heavy lorries pass by. Laurent Wolter from the National Roads Administration said the new road structure would significantly improve the situation, though he cautioned that it might not eliminate vibrations entirely. The new road base will be designed to withstand heavy traffic, he explained, but if a private house's foundations are weak, some vibrations might still occur. Nonetheless, he assured residents that the rebuilt road should last for at least 30 years.
The redevelopment of the Alzette Valley will begin in Walferdange but will extend across several municipalities. Steinsel and Lorentzweiler are already on board, while Lintgen gave its approval later in the process. Only Mersch has so far declined to join the project.
Local officials expressed hope that sceptical municipalities might reconsider once they see the first completed results of the redevelopment.
