Change Edition

Nachrichten auf Deutsch
Actualités en français
Informações em português
News in English
First section of cross-border cycle path to open next summer
Cycling

First section of cross-border cycle path to open next summer

5 13.12.2022
Work is ongoing to connect Clervaux to the international Vennbahn route, which passes through eastern Belgium and into Germany
Work is ongoing to connect Clervaux to the international Vennbahn route, which passes through eastern Belgium and into Germany
The new cycle path follows the train route in many areas
The new cycle path follows the train route in many areas
Photo credit: Frank Weyrich

By Frank Weyrich 

The first section of a new route connecting areas in northern Luxembourg with the international Vennbahn cycle path, which allows cyclists to journey through Belgium and into Germany, should be open by next summer, a senior civil servant has said.

The Vennbahn currently runs from the German city of Aachen through to the outskirts of Troisverges, but construction work has been ongoing to extend the cycle path by more than 5km, to connect it with Clervaux, in a €7 million project set to be completed by the middle of 2024.

5
The first section should be open by next summer
Frank Weyrich
Picture Gallery
Please scroll down,
to see more pictures.
The first section should be open by next summer
The first section should be open by next summer
Frank Weyrich
The first section should be open by next summer
The first section should be open by next summer
Frank Weyrich
The first section should be open by next summer
The first section should be open by next summer
Frank Weyrich
The first section should be open by next summer
The first section should be open by next summer
Frank Weyrich
The first section should be open by next summer
The first section should be open by next summer
Frank Weyrich

The first section of upgrade work, on a stretch of almost 2km following the train line between Clervaux and Maulusmühle, began in mid-May. "This section will be passable by summer 2023," said Marc Ries, head of the national roads administration, told the Luxemburger Wort.

Once completed, the new cycle path will cross the four municipalities of Clervaux, Wintger, Weiswampach and Troisverges.

With the new cycle path, the Vennbahn will be extended to Clervaux
With the new cycle path, the Vennbahn will be extended to Clervaux
Graphic: Ministry of Mobility and Public Works

The final draft project is to be submitted to Transport Minister François Bausch for approval after the Christmas holidays, at which point the government is set to seek necessary permits - part of the route crosses through forest - and complete the purchase of plots of land required for the completion of the project. 

The opening of the cycle path will be a boost for communities in northern Luxembourg, where daily life has been disrupted for many following the closure of the tunnel at Schieburg, between the villages of Kautenbach and Wilwerwiltz,  after its roof caved in at the end of August.

The closure has caused widespread disruption, with trains between Clervaux and Kautenbach suspended, leading to a drop in sales for local businesses, and much longer travel times for school pupils and patients trying to get to hospital appointments.

(Translated by Andréa Oldereide)

The Luxembourg Times has a new mobile app, download here! Get the Luxembourg Times delivered to your inbox twice a day. Sign up for your free newsletters here.