UNESCO gives green light to Luxembourg's second tram extension

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has given green light to the next phase of implementation of Luxembourg's tram network, set to pass through the capital's old town as early as 2020.

A commitee looking into the project said ''there was no problem'' to extend the tram network in the direction of Luxembourg's Central Station, passing through the UNESCO buffer zone between Place de Bruxelles and Place de Paris in the capital.

UNESCO further argued the tram's tracks will not interfere with the natural landscape in the area more than busses or cars curently do. In fact, the future development of the tram network is set to bring more progress in Luxembourg's overal urban life.

The fortifications of the Old City of Luxembourg and its ancient quarters have been part of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage since 1994.

LuxTram

Launched in December 2017, Luxembourg's tram network foresees the implementation of the second phase which extends the tramway by 2 km and includes the replacement of all other public networks on Avenue de la Liberté.

From December 2018, tram construction works will continue around Boulevard Royal Hamilius, in the heart of the city, and will later start on the Avenue de la Liberté. The works should take about nine months.

The tram is set to pass through the Avenue de la Liberté in the second half of 2020.

Operating without an overhead wire, the tram currently runs every six minutes between Luxexpo and Stäreplaz on weekedays and can carry a maximum of 420 people at once.

Last July, when three new stations were announced – Theater, Faïencerie and Stäreplaz stations – Luxtram director André Von der Marck said nearly 17,000 people take the tram every day.