(CS) Construction work on the transformation of the Centre Hamilius in the capital is set to begin on August 30, despite an ongoing dispute with residents in the area.

The first phase will see cables and pipes installed in the area, between August and the end of the year. The demolition of the existing buildings along the Boulevard Royal is set to follow at the beginning of 2013.

The demolition works will go ahead despite an appeal filed by residents of the building number 49 on Boulevard Royal against the construction plans.

Current plans see an open square in place of the Hamilius bus station, as well as a new complex of office buildings, apartments and shops. Residents complain that the new buildings will affect the standard of living in their homes, for example taking away daylight.

Bus services will be affected starting 2013

City mayor Xavier Bettel explained that the college of aldermen had met with some of the residents to talk about the proposals, which initially also included the demolition of number 49. However, he said that several of the residents who were opposed to the plans had not taken part in the meeting. A last resort solution would be to leave the building in place, but incorporating it into the new complex by giving it a new facade.

From 2013 onwards, the Hamilius bus stops will be redistributed along the Boulevard Royal and other surrounding streets. Information points will be installed to help passengers find their way.

The Boulevard Royal itself will see a transformation. In preparation for the tram, there will only be two lanes open for cars and buses. However, as mobility alderman François Bausch explained, this should be sufficient, as fewer buses will run directly through town with more peripheral bus stations tying in with the tram route.

Information points for citizens

The Royal Hamilius construction site will be one of many over the coming years, with others including the tram from the Gare to Kirchberg and the renovation of the Pont Adolphe.

In order to better inform citizens about these projects and how public transport and roads will be affected, the City of Luxembourg has decided to install an information point at the “Piquet”, next to the central post office in the Rue Aldringen.

Additionally, newsletters will keep citizens informed, and mediators will stay in communication with local shops and restaurants to assess how the construction affects business.