As the first phase of the mega project to widen the A3 to 2x3 lanes between Croix de Gasperich and Aire de Berchem progresses towards completion (by the end of 2024), motorists started passing under the newly erected “gateway” to Luxembourg on Monday.
Over the weekend, traffic flow at the Franco-Luxembourg border on the A3 was temporarily halted in both directions to facilitate the unveiling of the colossal 67-metre-long, 40-metre-wide half-shell structure. The arch reaches a height of 8.60 metres at its highest point above the motorway.
Our colleagues from RTL Infos encapsulated the transformation spanning 20 months, from the start of construction in July 2022 to early April 2024, in the images below. Compare the before and after images by dragging the bar with your mouse or finger (on mobile devices).
“This weekend’s activities focused on dismantling the gantry positioned under the structure in the direction of France. This gantry facilitated the formwork and concreting of the vault above the traffic lanes,” explains Tom Gillen, engineer and project manager at the Bridges and Roads Authority.
A fortnight ago, a similar operation saw the removal of the custom-built gantry over the lanes heading towards Luxembourg during a weekend closure of the A3. Gillen assures that concrete work on the structure is now “fully completed.”
The construction of the expansive concrete structure, which will serve as the ‘Neie Wal’ wildlife crossing, has spanned 20 months and is an integral component of the A3 widening project to accommodate 2x3 lanes. In the upcoming weeks, the final steps of the project will be undertaken, with waterproofing scheduled to be applied to the concrete surface before earth fill is meticulously placed on the structure and integrated with the embankments, Gillen explains.
Subsequently, attention will turn to the ecological landscaping phase, slated to start “from autumn onwards,” capitalising on favourable weather conditions.
According to the Bridges and Roads Authority engineer, the completion of this landscaping phase will pave the way for the migration of wildlife across the motorway, facilitating movement between forested areas. However, this transition is contingent upon the comprehensive planting efforts, projected to conclude by the end of the year at the earliest.
As the project progresses, the focus will shift towards widening the A3 to accommodate 2x3 lanes at the border, specifically beneath the new structure. Work on the new Dudelange Centre interchange is slated to start “during 2025.”
