Originally constructed in 1978, the A3 is no longer able to accommodate the higher density carried by the volume of traffic experienced today.
François Bausch told RTL that the construction works, to add a third lane to the A3, are now scheduled to begin next year.
Originally, construction was supposed to start last year. The duration of the works is estimated to be six years.
Every day, some 90,000 motorists use the A3. The third lane is intended to be mostly reserved for carpooling and buses, especially at peak times. This will be supervised by cameras. Initial preparations for the construction works have begun: trees and hedges along the motorway have already been removed.
It is 'a complicated project', said Bausch, which is why initial estimates foe commencement and the period needed for completion could not be confirmed earlier - a number of studies had to be carried out.
In addition, it is impossible to simply close the A3 to traffic, so during the construction works, the speed limit will be lowered to 70 km/h (watch for speed cameras).
The project is divided into five phases. The first of which covers the area between the Croix de Gasperich and the Aire de Berchem, and the final phase will cover the stretch of motorway up to the French border.
