Luxembourg tram draft law approved

Luxembourg's government worked right up until the final moment on Friday when it approved a draft law outlining one of the biggest infrastructure projects of the decade – the tram.

Despite the fact that national elections take place on Sunday, MPs continued their parliamentary duties, voting on all matters related to the tram network planned for Luxembourg City.

Discussions centred around planning for roads, rail lines and an extension for the tram line.

Key issues included:

-Planning and construction of the tram and its 345 million euro price tag. The state will fund two thirds of the costs, or 230 million euros and the rest will be funded by the Ville de Luxembourg;

-The tram project's first phase will see the construction of a 7.5 kilometre track with 15 break points, stretching from the station to Luxexpo via Hamilius;

-A tram depot and the workshop to be built near the motorway connection at Kirchberg on a 6.5-hectare greenfield site;

-Average tram speeds will be 20 kilometres per hour, making them faster than bus travel. Maximum travel time from one terminus to the other will be 21 minutes;-Luxembourg will use extra-wide trams, measuring 2.65 metres in width and 32 metres in length.