Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
On Monday 21 September 2026, Luxembourg's national railway company CFL reported on the completion of a series of maintenance, refurbishment and modernisation works carried out across the country's rail network during the summer 2026.
According to CFL, its infrastructure teams and external contractors renewed 15 km of railway tracks at several locations, including in Livange, between Cinqfontaines and Troisvierges and between Wecker and Mertert.
The summer programme also included the refurbishment of the cross-border railway bridge in Wasserbillig and maintenance and refurbishment works at 47 railway stations and stops. The latter included the cleaning of platforms, shelters and underpasses, as well as painting and ground markings, particularly for safety features and guidance for people with reduced mobility.
On the Northern Line, around 300 metres of rock faces were secured, while four escalators were installed at the Howald transport interchange and a new underpass was installed at Bettembourg railway station.
CFL noted that works of this scale are primarily scheduled during the school holidays, when passenger numbers are generally lower. During the works, CFL provided almost 1,000 replacement bus journeys per day, operated by around 200 drivers.
At the Howald transport interchange, work continued following the completion of a new platform and the simultaneous opening of both platforms in March 2026. During the summer, two escalators weighing 24 tonnes each were installed on each platform. Platform canopies were also completed, along with access routes reserved for CFL staff.
The escalators are expected to enter service in October 2026. The official commissioning of all facilities at the Howald transport interchange, including the bus station and tram stop, is planned for the final quarter of 2026.
Work also continued on the additional Luxembourg-Bettembourg railway line, including a final 250-metre section near Bettembourg railway station and the installation of a new underpass connecting the two parts of the town beneath the tracks. Work on power supply and signalling systems also continued. The new line is scheduled to enter service in September 2027 and, according to CFL, will increase capacity by separating traffic on the Luxembourg-Esch-sur-Alzette-Rodange and Luxembourg-Thionville-Metz lines.
Further works took place along the Northern Line near Goebelsmühle, where CFL and its subcontractors secured around 300 metres of rock faces alongside the steep railway route. Metal netting was installed to prevent rocks from falling onto the tracks. Due to the area's topography, a helicopter was required to transport and position the nets.
CFL also completed refurbishment works on the German-Luxembourg cross-border railway bridge in Wasserbillig. The works were carried out in close cooperation with German railway infrastructure company DB InfraGO AG and were completed on Sunday 20 September 2026.
According to CFL, the refurbishment is intended to ensure long-term railway safety and extend the lifespan of the bridge, which forms part of the rail connection between Luxembourg and Germany.
