Emile Ammerel Bridge reopens: Bettembourg returns to its usual rhythm

"It was a massive and long construction project - we are delighted that it has come to fruition in this way," Laurent Zeimet, Mayor of Bettembourg, told L'Essentiel on the eve of the official opening of the new bridge over the railway tracks. For exactly 385 days - from 15 March 2024 to 4 April 2025 - the city was effectively divided into two parts. East and west were not directly connected, and transit traffic had to be diverted via bypass routes CR161, CR132 and CR159.

From April 4, the former traffic scheme will be restored on the N13 highway, the usual bus stops will work, and the car flow will return to the city centre. But will it return in the same volume?

Despite the inconvenience, some residents had unexpected memories: "Some even admitted that it was calmer without the constant rumble of cars," Zeimet said. He says it went "generally well," especially considering the scale - this is the largest project of his mayoral career.

A key phase of the work took place in the summer of 2024, when between 13 July and 12 August the old structure was dismantled and the new one installed. During this period, train traffic was completely suspended.

The new structure - a massive 'bow-string' - is designed to last a century and is designed to carry a daily load of around 14,340 vehicles. It replaces a 1975 bridge that long ago failed to meet modern standards.

Now the focus is on a possible reduction in traffic: the recently opened six-lane section of the A3 motorway could redistribute flows and partially relieve the centre of Bettambourg. So far, predictions are cautious.