Major works are under way around the Schuman tunnel and Kirchberg, where three public partners – the National Roads Administration, Luxembourg City, and Luxtram – are coordinating tram expansion, tunnel refurbishment, and traffic management.
Although the modernisation of the Schuman tunnel is a major undertaking, the project was initially prompted by the expansion of the tram network on Kirchberg.
For Anthony Mopty, who oversees the development of new tram lines at Luxtram, the works are akin to open-heart surgery before the new tram lines can reach Boulevard Konrad Adenauer, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Court of Justice, the Jean Monnet building, and the European School. The project is due to be completed in 2030, he said.
Until mid-August, work is being carried out on the tram tracks beyond the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge, affecting services on two sections of the line: between Rout Bréck–Pafendall and Philharmonie–Mudam stations. Passengers will have to walk around 400 metres between the two stops.
For the National Roads Administration, the tram works provided an opportunity to carry out repairs to the underpass at the Schuman roundabout. Spokesperson Ralph di Marco said the refurbishment was urgently needed, as the tunnel is already several decades old and both its concrete and steel structures have deteriorated.
Parts of the concrete must be repaired, crash and noise protection systems need to be replaced, and the electrical installations and lighting are being renewed. The underpass will also receive a new road surface.
The works, which began on 10 July, are having a significant impact, but efforts are being made to minimise disruption to traffic. The City of Luxembourg is responsible for managing traffic during the works.
For Romain Pax, head of Luxembourg City's Traffic Department, it was important to choose the right time for the work, given that the route is one of the city's main traffic arteries and a key connection between Kirchberg and Place de l'Étoile.
The project is expected to have positive effects on traffic flows in Kirchberg. The three partners are therefore working together to complete the works as efficiently and quickly as possible.
Further information, including details of diversions, is available on the websites of the City of Luxembourg, the National Roads Administration, and Luxtram.
