The CFL hopes that trains should be able to operate via the Schieburg tunnel by mid-December, but Syprolux condemned this as overly optimistic. The four-metre landslide left too big an impression, they noted. Paul Gries, representative of Syprolux, especially criticised CFL’s communication strategy.
The only thing he had heard so far were rumours about alleged studies around the conditions of the tunnel. However, nothing concrete has been presented yet. He added that it is understandable that such studies take time, but 11 December looks all the more unrealistic because of that. A clearer communication strategy is needed as customers need clarity ahead of winter and its worse road conditions.
In addition to the construction works, Syprolux sees a lot of room for improvement regarding replacement traffic. He gives the concrete example of a direct connection between Troisvierges and Ettelbruck, which has been vocalised by many commuters. The infrastructure exists in Troisvierges, such as a parking lot and shuttle, but the network to Ettelbruck and the rest of the country remains limited, he added.
In Luxembourg, there are 27 railway tunnels built between the mid-19th and the 21st centuries, all of which are regularly controlled by the CFL. On the line between the Belgian border and Ettelbruck there are 18, all dating from 1863. With regard to the situation around the Schieburg tunnel, the other railway unions did not want to comment, saying they did not have enough information yet. The CFL is also keeping a low profile, as analyses are still being carried out. The results are to be presented at a press conference in mid-November.
The tunnel runs between Kautenbach and Wilwerwiltz, and suffered a collapse earlier this year. This affects train line 10, and the collapse is believed to have been caused by routine maintenance which saw CFL checking the stability of the structure and its newly placed bolts.
Video report in Luxembourgish
