€47m Esch-sur-Alzette to Esch-Belval Cycle Path Inaugurated

The Longest cycle bridge in Europe was inaugurated today, Friday 23 December 2022, as part of the Esch-sur-Alzette to Esch-Belval cycle path, as confirmed by Luxembourg's Ministry of Mobility and Public Works, the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, and the Roads and Bridges Administration.

The project was inaugurated by François Bausch, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mobility and Public Works, in the presence of Joëlle Welfring, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, Georges Mischo, Mayor of the municipality of Esch-sur-Alzette, and Simone Asselborn-Bintz, Mayor of the municipality of Sanem.

The project is part of the development of cycle paths in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, an element of the National Mobility Plan 2035. This cycle link with a total length of 2 kilometres is subdivided into 5 successive sections between the city of Esch-sur-Alzette and the Esch-Belval district.

The cyclo-pedestrian bridge is the centerpiece of the project. With a total length of 1,200m, a width of 4.50m and up to 7.50m high, it also includes two rest areas, 8.5m and 10.5m wide. Similarly, landscaping over 1.2 hectares is included on the “Alley” section. Approaching the Belval site, stairs and an elevator connected to the Avenue du Rock’n’Roll also provide vertical circulation.

“This direct cycle link is an important piece of the cycling infrastructure puzzle with the aim of improving soft mobility in the heart of the south of the country. According to the National Mobility Plan 2035, this is an axis constituting a crucial stage in the construction of the express cycle path linking Esch-sur-Alzette to Luxembourg. This project will allow pedestrians and cyclists a direct path and safe travel between the old district of Esch-sur-Alzette and the Belval university district. Luxembourg will see tourism rebound with an attractiveness particularly marked by the longest cycling bridge in Europe framed by the steel site which is characterised by a mixture of industrial heritage, modern architecture and railway tracks. When you work on a mobility project, you also have to provide assurances,” said Minister Bausch during the inauguration.

Minister Welfring added “Cycling offers many advantages. For it to be used, of course, a safe cycling infrastructure is required. This new pedestrian and bicycle bridge is a further step towards safe traffic planning here in Esch”.

Work began in June 2021. The total cost of the project is €47.5 million.

Exhibition

An exhibition on the footbridge is open to the general public from 23 December 2022 until 1 January 2023. It is an opportunity to enjoy a photographic exhibition by the artist Eric Chenal about this major project, on Saturday 24 December from 10:00 to 15:00 at 1 Avenue du Rock'n'Roll, L-4361 Esch-sur-Alzette.