France and Luxembourg have earmarked €460 million to improve cross-border mobility

On 29 January 2025, a press conference was held on the development of transport cooperation between Luxembourg and the French Grand-Est region. The discussion was attended by the Luxembourg Minister of Mobility and Public Works, Juriko Backes, the President of the Grand-Est region, Franck Leroy, and the Prefect of the Moselle department, Laurent Touvet.

One of the main issues was the progress of the 2018 and 2021 Franco-Luxembourg agreements, which aim to develop infrastructure to improve transport links between the countries. Under this partnership, the two sides are allocating equal shares of funding, which has made it possible to raise €460 million for the modernisation of the network. Of this amount, 220 million is earmarked for railway projects and 10 million for road infrastructure improvements.

The expansion of rail services between Luxembourg and France remains a key area of focus. By 2028, up to 10 trains per hour in each direction are planned, including one high-speed TGV and one freight train. Work has already been completed to lengthen platforms in seven French cities - Hettange-Grande, Uckange, Hagondange, Walygator, Maizières-lès-Metz, Woippy and Metz-Nord. The platforms are now 250 metres long to accommodate larger trains. To increase capacity, 16 additional TER2N trains equipped with a modern traffic control system have already been purchased at a cost of €118 million. Additionally, a new train maintenance centre is being built at Montigny-lès-Metz, which will require a €105 million investment and will be operational in 2026. As a result of these initiatives, the number of available seats on trains will increase from 9,000 to 13,500 by 2026 and to 22,500 by 2030.

At the same time, road infrastructure is being developed. Three P+R interceptor car parks have already been commissioned as part of the agreements - in Thionville Metzange, Longwy and Thionville. Work is underway to widen the A3 motorway to six lanes, to be completed by 2030. France is also considering widening the A31 motorway to create a dedicated lane for public transport and carpooling.

In addition to the projects already underway, the authorities of the two countries are preparing a transport development strategy until 2040. In 2024, work began on a new cross-border mobility masterplan (SMOT), which should form the basis for future public transport solutions. At the same time, coordinated passenger flow studies are taking place in France and Luxembourg to help adapt infrastructure projects to the real needs of the population. It is expected that as early as 2025, clear recommendations for the development of rail, bus, carsharing and cycling networks will be formulated.

Additionally, France is developing a regional express train system Service express régional métropolitain (SERM) Lorraine-Luxembourg. This project should improve transport accessibility between Lorraine and Luxembourg by offering more convenient and frequent routes. Luxembourg is involved in the coordination of this initiative as well as in the financing of selected infrastructure.

At the end of the press conference, participants emphasised that the development of transport links between Luxembourg and France remains a priority. Investments in modernising railways, expanding roads and improving public transport will significantly improve the comfort of travel for the thousands of people who cross the border every day.