Markusbierg Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Markusbierg tunnels are a pair of parallel tunnel
s, which form the most easterly section of the A13
motorway through Luxembourg
, near the town of Schengen. The tunnels are 1575 metres in length, and descend easterly, towards the German
border at a 5% gradient. The eastern end of the tunnel runs directly to a viaduct
crossing the Moselle River
, which forms the border with Germany.
Construction work was initiated on 15 September 1997 and the tunnels opened to public traffic on 24 July 2003, along with the rest of the A13 motorway. Total construction costs were €
65m, including €15m for the installation of added security systems.
Each tunnel has regular emergency crossing points into the other, to allow escape in case of emergency. In addition to the normal lighting of the tunnels, and because of their gradient and curve, the road edges (including the kerb) are also fully illuminated, which helps to indicate the tight radius. Support staff are located near the German border.
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
s, which form the most easterly section of the A13
A13 road (Luxembourg)
The Autoroute 13, abbreviated to A13, is a motorway in southern Luxembourg. It is long and connects Pétange to Schengen, via all the largest towns in the Red Lands. At Schengen, it reaches the German border, whereupon it meets the A8, which crosses southern Germany.For its western 20.4...
motorway through Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, near the town of Schengen. The tunnels are 1575 metres in length, and descend easterly, towards the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
border at a 5% gradient. The eastern end of the tunnel runs directly to a viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
crossing the Moselle River
Moselle River
The Moselle is a river flowing through France, Luxembourg, and Germany. It is a left tributary of the Rhine, joining the Rhine at Koblenz. A small part of Belgium is also drained by the Mosel through the Our....
, which forms the border with Germany.
Construction work was initiated on 15 September 1997 and the tunnels opened to public traffic on 24 July 2003, along with the rest of the A13 motorway. Total construction costs were €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
65m, including €15m for the installation of added security systems.
Each tunnel has regular emergency crossing points into the other, to allow escape in case of emergency. In addition to the normal lighting of the tunnels, and because of their gradient and curve, the road edges (including the kerb) are also fully illuminated, which helps to indicate the tight radius. Support staff are located near the German border.