In response to parliamentary questions from MPs of the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV), the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), and the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR), Minister of Mobility and Public Works Yuriko Backes has said that it is currently not possible to give a date for when traffic restrictions in the Grouft and Stafelter tunnels on the A7 will be lifted, as the authorities are still waiting for replacement parts to be manufactured by the supplier.
The tunnels are experiencing problems with their ventilation systems, which is why, for safety reasons, a speed limit of 70 km/h is in force. The average speed cameras have also been adjusted accordingly to reflect the reduced speed limit.
According to Backes, an order for replacement parts has already been placed, and the National Roads Administration is in ongoing contact with the suppliers. In total, four different suppliers are involved.
In her parliamentary response, Backes explained that the manufacturer is an Anglo-Swedish conglomerate that was recently integrated into a South Korean group. According to Backes, maintenance is tendered separately by the National Roads Administration, and any replacements must use original parts.
Over the course of 2025, there were around 55 closures on the A7 between Schieren and the Grünewald junction, mainly due to planned maintenance work in the tunnels.
In response to a question about whether alternatives exist to closing one lane and reducing the speed limit to 70 km/h in order to limit congestion, Backes stressed that safety remains the top priority. She added that the measures currently in place are intended precisely for that purpose, ensuring that in the event of an accident involving a fire, all systems function properly so that anyone inside the tunnel can reach safety.
