Last piece in the highway jigsaw

A motorway extension project, which has been dogged by delays, could be completed by 2014 after expropriation proceedings with landowners were resumed.

The Saar motorway was aimed at shortening travel time between Luxembourg and Saarbrucken. However, even after it opened in 2003 the benefits were never full felt because of problems constructing the last leg of the road.

The main obstruction came when two landowners, between Hellange and Frisange, refused to sell their property to the state.

They blocked the move on the basis that the proposed new motorway would involve tearing up part of an ancient Roman road.

Three experts have now been appointed to determine a fee for the expropriated land. They are expected to give their verdict to Judge Serge Thill on January 27.

The court will then make a decision on March 14. Under the expropriation act, there will be a transitional period before work can begin. The government must then find 30 million euros to fund completion of the project.