Howald and the journey of a hub in transformation
Since our last visit to the construction site at the Howald multimodal hub, it is hardly recognizable. Where a few months ago there was bare earth stripped of tracks, today a brand new second platform already stands.
Reminder: With a second platform, the train traffic of the lines Luxembourg – Esch/Alzette – Rodange and Luxembourg – Thionville – Metz between Luxembourg and Bettemburg will be separated. An important undertaking for more punctuality. The lines will also be handled on separate platforms in Howald.
In this sense, the new multimodal hub has been diligently built over the past few months. A total of 84 prefabricated concrete elements, laid with a tolerance of only 5 millimeters over a total length of more than 300 meters. Precision work so that longer trains with more seats can dock at the platform in the future.
An XXL construction kit
But to turn the Howald hub into a multimodal one, it isn’t enough to just lay it with paving stones to connect to the train, bus, and tram, the CFL ensure easy access to the tram stop and the adjacent bus station.
Currently, for example, work is underway to construct the stair access to the bridge where the tram runs above the tracks. Step by step, it is being assembled. Precision is also crucial in this work so that the staircase weighing several tons can later lead stably and straight to the tram stop.
Connecting train and bus
The pedestrian bridge above the tracks connects the platform with the adjacent brand new bus station. At least this is already the case on the first platform. To ensure that customers can easily transfer between bus and train from the second platform in the future, another staircase will also connect the second platform and the pedestrian bridge.
The metal structure is delivered during school holidays, as David, the project manager on site, explains to us. “The prefabricated state of the metal structure saves an incredible amount of time for the installation of the staircase on site,” David points out. Time, an important criterion, also for this project, whose schedule is closely linked to the planned commissioning of the new line between Luxembourg and Bettemburg in 2027. Customers will also be able to connect to the second platform with an elevator and by escalator. These will be installed on site during the year.
On track
David is confident about the schedule. “We are currently completely on schedule. The work in the summer represents another important milestone in terms of time.” It is noticeable that there are currently no tracks on the right side of the second platform.
Only at the rear end of the platform in direction Luxembourg have the so-called track panels already been laid. These lead to the storage and maintenance area of the Luxembourg Station.
“Around the summer, everything will be turned upside down in Howald in terms of tracks,” David reveals to us. Because for trains to run separately between Luxembourg and Bettemburg in the future, everything must be removed south of Howald over nearly a kilometer.” Tracks, sleepers, ballast, overhead line masts, cable ducts… Everything will have to be removed.
The reason for the work is not only the construction of the second platform in Howald but also the upcoming connection of the Howald multimodal hub to the new line (Luxembourg – Bettembourg), which is to be opened in 2027.
For the tracks to be laid here, all train traffic on the existing line between Luxembourg and Bettemburg must be diverted over the second platform. From September 2025, the first platform will no longer be available to customers, and train traffic on the existing line between Bettembourg and Luxembourg will already be directed via the second platform in Howald to the Luxembourg Station.