The new pontoon in Schengen was initially scheduled for completion in June last year to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement.
However, that deadline came and went, as unforeseen setbacks pushed the project off track. Construction delays were compounded by significant cost overruns, forcing the budget to be revised from €2.4 million to around €4.5 million.
Schengen mayor, Michel Gloden, explained that changes to the original construction plans required additional work, which in turn drove up costs.
The overruns did not go unnoticed by the local opposition. While all parties generally support efforts to promote tourism in the commune, Tom Bellion from the Schengen municipal council voiced disappointment about the year's delay and increased expenses: "My question is simply: who will pay for the extra costs?"
The municipality then clarified that the Luxembourg State is fully financing the project. As a result, the iconic ship Princess Marie-Astrid, which played a key role in European history, remains docked, waiting for the new pontoon to be finished.
The ship, alongside the renovated European Museum and the new pontoon, forms the last piece of a larger project designed to attract more visitors to Schengen. Both the ship and pontoon are considerable sites of historical importance; the Schengen Agreement was signed here.
As Mayor Gloden explained, many visitors see European politics as remote, but the treaty signed in Schengen is a tangible example of European integration that directly affects everyone.
Despite its setbacks, the opposition in the municipal council continues to support the project. In the meantime, two events are planned in Schengen to celebrate Europe Day on 8 and 9 May, when the pontoon is expected to be ready. The official inauguration is scheduled to take place by mid-July at the latest.
