Credit: CFL

The CFL Group yesterday inaugurated the railway stop at Oberkorn in the presence of Luxembourg Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure François Bausch.

Work on the removal of the two crossings (13 and 14) at Oberkorn started in July 2013, before reconstruction began on the railway stop. For the safety of all road users, the removal of crossings on the Luxembourg rail network is one of the priority projects of the CFL Group for the coming years. With this in mind, the two level crossings near the Oberkorn railway station on the line between Pétange and Esch-sur-Alzette have been removed.

The project, which was developed in close consultation with the City of Differdange, included several solutions: the level 13 crossing was replaced by a lower passage, connecting Rue de la Gare and Rue Dalscheidt via a new road . In order to allow residents to pass under the railway tracks, a new pedestrian underpass has been installed at the direct site of the level 13 crossing. Meanwhile, the removal of the level 14 crossing was accompanied by the construction of a new road linking Rue Prince Henri and Rue des Mines passing under the railway tracks through a lower passage.

Similarly, the former Oberkorn railway stop has been modernised. Having formerly been located between the two level crossings that were removed in November and December 2014, the reconstruction of the stop was necessary. As such, the stop was moved to be connected to the new facilities of the Sports Park, the link itself being the subject of a separate project undertaken by the City of Differdange. The train stop now offers a new pedestrian underpass with elevators, stairs and ramps, making the stop accessible to people with reduced mobility.

The stop also has the label "EureWelcome", awarded by the Ministry of Economy and therefore corresponds to the concept "Design for all". This concept responds to the desire to offer user friendly and comprehensive accessibility services that can benefit a wide variety of users. In addition, the new Oberkorn stop is equipped with 7 dynamic kiosks to display real-time information on rail traffic. Dock shelters for travelers have also been installed.

Among the works related to the reconstruction of the stop and the development of new infrastructures allowing the removal of the level crossings was the renewal of the electric traction installations on the zone of reworking.

The total cost of the project amounts to €18.49 million, of which €17.38 million was provided by the Rail Fund, €970,000 by the City of Differdange and €140,000 by the concessionaires concerned. A further €670,000 was required for the Z-shaped translucent soundproofing walls.