No respite for rail works. During the Pentecost school holidays, from 24 May to 1 June inclusive, the CFL is pulling out all the stops to maintain, modernise and extend its network. Three strategic routes will be affected by traffic disruptions: the Luxembourg-Esch-sur-Alzette-Rodange line, the Luxembourg-Wasserbillig-Trier line and the Luxembourg-Kleinbettingen-Arlon line.
“These interventions are essential to continue to guarantee the safety, reliability and ongoing adaptation of the network in the face of growing passenger numbers,” the company said in a statement. “In order to ensure the continuity of journeys, the CFL will set up a replacement bus service with more than 650 daily bus runs and more than 110 bus drivers deployed.”
Three lines, three major worksites
On the Luxembourg-Esch-sur-Alzette-Rodange line, the section between Bettembourg and Esch-sur-Alzette will be completely interrupted. The CFL will be renewing 8,300 railway ties and laying new channels to protect telecommunications and signalling cables. The dam will also be used by the National Roads Administration to continue their work on rehabilitating a bridge at Capellen.
Alternatives:
- replacement bus L60 (all stops) between Bettembourg and Esch-sur-Alzette;
- replacement bus L62 direct between Luxembourg and Esch-sur-Alzette.
On the Luxembourg-Wasserbillig-Trier line, the interruption between Luxembourg and Oetrange will enable 1,000 railway ties to be replaced and the ballast to be renewed. Preparatory work will also be carried out for the removal of the level crossing at Milbech, so that the future passage for pedestrians and cyclists can be prepared.
Alternatives:
- replacement bus L30 (all stops) between Luxembourg and Oetrange;
- direct L34 bus between Luxembourg and Wasserbillig, allowing connections to trains to Trier Hbf and Trier Hafenstraße.
Finally, on the Luxembourg-Kleinbettingen-Arlon route, teams are continuing the work begun at Easter, with the replacement of four points at Mamer station and the renewal of ballast on more than 500 metres of track.
Alternatives:
- replacement bus L50 (all stops) between Luxembourg and Arlon.
- bus L52 direct between Luxembourg and Arlon.
Work continues at Howald and Bettembourg
“Although trains will continue to run between Luxembourg and Bettembourg during the Pentecost holidays, work at the Howald interchange and on the new rail line between Luxembourg and Bettembourg will also continue,” the group said.
At Howald, the metalwork around the new second platform will continue with the construction of pedestrian access to the platforms and bus station. This week will also be used to prepare for the major redevelopment work that will take place in the summer. In Bettembourg, “the first layer of ballast will be laid along the route of the future railway line. This is an essential step before the rails can be laid, scheduled for early 2026.”
