CFL Highlights Strategic Works at Howald Interchange During Summer Closure

On Friday 25 July 2025, Luxembourg’s national railway company, CFL, organised a press visit to the Howald interchange hub to present the works carried out at the new platform, as well as the major redevelopment of the southern section of Howald stop as part of its connection to the new Luxembourg-Bettembourg line (NBS).

According to CFL, the Howald stop plays a key role in the NBS project by enabling a physical separation of two of the country’s busiest rail lines - the Esch/Bettembourg-Luxembourg route and the Lorraine cross-border connection. The current works include the construction of a second platform to allow for the independent operation of both lines.

During the site visit, journalists were shown the progress of the large-scale summer construction phase taking place between 11 July and 14 September 2025. According to David da Silva Pereira, engineer in charge of the Howald interchange hub project, the closure window is being used to complete key operations: the finalisation of the second platform (Quai II), dismantling of overhead lines and signals, removal of tracks, and groundwork to accommodate the future NBS alignment.

“We are finalising the second platform so that trains can begin using it from 15 September,” he said, adding that teams are working in three shifts, 24/7, to stay on schedule. He described the Howald works, known internally as the “Ovalt project”, as one of the most significant undertakings within the NBS framework, with a budget of around €100 million.

Asked about the risk of delays, he noted: “We are currently on schedule. If adverse weather occurs, we’ll assess how to make up for lost time.” He also confirmed that no major shutdowns are planned at Howald in summer 2026.

Marc Hoffmann, Director of Passenger Traffic at CFL, told Chronicle.lu that the broader NBS project is vital for addressing congestion on Luxembourg’s busiest rail corridor. “The goal is to increase capacity,” he said. “We already have up to six trains per hour from France and four from Esch-sur-Alzette. The new line and infrastructure upgrades at Howald are necessary to meet growing demand.”

Mr Hoffmann explained that the second platform will allow CFL to separate traffic flows from France and southern Luxembourg. “This separation will make traffic much more robust. If there is a disturbance on one line, it will no longer affect the rest of the network.”

CFL CEO Marc Wengler reiterated that the NBS is a “flagship project” aimed at reducing bottlenecks and improving service reliability. He confirmed that train services will switch to the second platform at the start of the new school year, enabling connection works on the first platform. The NBS line is scheduled to be operational by September 2027.

To accommodate passengers during the summer closure, CFL has implemented extensive replacement services, including 1,100 bus trips per day with 200 additional drivers. Buses run every five minutes between Bettembourg and Luxembourg during peak hours.

According to CFL, in addition to the Howald station redevelopment, the 2025 works also include the renewal of nearly 2,700 metres of track, the installation of 4,500 sleepers and 13 switches, and upgrades to telecommunications, signalling and power systems. South of Howald, construction teams are preparing for the physical connection to the new double-track NBS section, which runs for 7 km between Bettembourg and Luxembourg. This section is designed to reduce pressure on the most congested part of the national rail network.