The monumental Fehmarnbelt tunnel, set to open in 2029, aims to reduce travel times and environmental impact while boosting local economies.
Record-Breaking Tunnel Under Baltic Sea Connects Denmark and Germany
Record-Breaking Tunnel Under Baltic Sea Connects Denmark and Germany
A transformative infrastructure project that will enhance travel links between Scandinavia and central Europe.
The ambitious Fehmarnbelt tunnel is currently under construction, poised to revolutionize travel between Denmark and Germany with its impressive engineering feat. This 18-kilometer (11 miles) tunnel will not only be the world's longest pre-fabricated road and rail tunnel, but it will also significantly enhance connectivity between Copenhagen and Hamburg.
The tunnel will be constructed beneath the Baltic Sea, utilizing an innovative method where large segments are pre-fabricated and then sunk into place on the seabed. The principal construction site is based on Lolland Island in southeastern Denmark, encompassing over 500 hectares (1,235 acres) which includes a harbor and a factory dedicated to manufacturing the tunnel sections, termed "elements."
Henrik Vincentsen, CEO of Femern, the Danish company behind the project, emphasized the extraordinary scale of this construction. Each element will measure 217 meters (712 feet) in length and 42 meters in width, made from reinforced steel encased in concrete. Unlike traditional underwater tunnels, this approach involves linking 90 segments together, akin to fitting Lego bricks.
With an estimated budget of €7.4 billion ($8.1 billion), primarily financed by Denmark and supplemented by €1.3 billion from the European Commission, this project represents one of the region's largest infrastructure endeavors. It’s part of a broader EU initiative aimed at improving cross-continental travel while decreasing reliance on air travel.
Once completed, the tunnel will reduce driving times between Rødbyhavn in Denmark and Puttgarten in Germany to just 10 minutes, replacing a current 45-minute ferry trip. Additionally, it will halve the time taken to travel between Copenhagen and Hamburg from five hours to a mere 2.5 hours, presenting a more eco-friendly option for freight and passengers alike.
The tunnel project is not just about travel efficiency; it's also environmentally conscious. Vincentsen remarked that by shortening travel distances and alleviating congestion, the tunnel is expected to lower carbon emissions.
Within the construction site, cranes tower over the landscape as senior construction manager Anders Gert Wede shows visitors the beginnings of the tunnel’s interior. The tunnel consists of five parallel tubes, with capacities for two rail lines, two roadways featuring dual lanes, and a maintenance corridor.
Heavy steel doors at the tunnel’s entrance serve as a barrier against the sea, while each completed element, weighing over 73,000 tonnes, undergoes a careful immersing process into a specially dug trench on the seabed. This involves precision navigation using underwater cameras and GPS to ensure exact placement.
When selecting the tunnel route, engineers had to consider the geographical challenges of the area. Unlike bridges, which could be susceptible to strong winds and the risk of maritime collisions, construction decided on an immersed tunnel due to safety and financial considerations.
Construction faced delays over environmental concerns, including opposition regarding the impact on local marine life. However, these legal hurdles were ultimately lifted in 2020, allowing work to progress. Extensive steps have been taken to minimize ecological disruption, including developing a 300-hectare wetland recovery area using materials dredged from the sea.
Once operational in 2029, the Fehmarnbelt tunnel is estimated to handle over 100 trains and 12,000 vehicles per day. Revenue from toll fees is projected to cover the state-backed loans for construction within approximately forty years. Local residents are enthusiastic about the anticipated economic growth and job opportunities that this major infrastructure project is expected to bring to Lolland, one of Denmark’s economically disadvantaged areas.
"They have been waiting for this project for many years," concluded Wede, reflecting the community's eagerness for the benefits the tunnel will offer.
The tunnel will be constructed beneath the Baltic Sea, utilizing an innovative method where large segments are pre-fabricated and then sunk into place on the seabed. The principal construction site is based on Lolland Island in southeastern Denmark, encompassing over 500 hectares (1,235 acres) which includes a harbor and a factory dedicated to manufacturing the tunnel sections, termed "elements."
Henrik Vincentsen, CEO of Femern, the Danish company behind the project, emphasized the extraordinary scale of this construction. Each element will measure 217 meters (712 feet) in length and 42 meters in width, made from reinforced steel encased in concrete. Unlike traditional underwater tunnels, this approach involves linking 90 segments together, akin to fitting Lego bricks.
With an estimated budget of €7.4 billion ($8.1 billion), primarily financed by Denmark and supplemented by €1.3 billion from the European Commission, this project represents one of the region's largest infrastructure endeavors. It’s part of a broader EU initiative aimed at improving cross-continental travel while decreasing reliance on air travel.
Once completed, the tunnel will reduce driving times between Rødbyhavn in Denmark and Puttgarten in Germany to just 10 minutes, replacing a current 45-minute ferry trip. Additionally, it will halve the time taken to travel between Copenhagen and Hamburg from five hours to a mere 2.5 hours, presenting a more eco-friendly option for freight and passengers alike.
The tunnel project is not just about travel efficiency; it's also environmentally conscious. Vincentsen remarked that by shortening travel distances and alleviating congestion, the tunnel is expected to lower carbon emissions.
Within the construction site, cranes tower over the landscape as senior construction manager Anders Gert Wede shows visitors the beginnings of the tunnel’s interior. The tunnel consists of five parallel tubes, with capacities for two rail lines, two roadways featuring dual lanes, and a maintenance corridor.
Heavy steel doors at the tunnel’s entrance serve as a barrier against the sea, while each completed element, weighing over 73,000 tonnes, undergoes a careful immersing process into a specially dug trench on the seabed. This involves precision navigation using underwater cameras and GPS to ensure exact placement.
When selecting the tunnel route, engineers had to consider the geographical challenges of the area. Unlike bridges, which could be susceptible to strong winds and the risk of maritime collisions, construction decided on an immersed tunnel due to safety and financial considerations.
Construction faced delays over environmental concerns, including opposition regarding the impact on local marine life. However, these legal hurdles were ultimately lifted in 2020, allowing work to progress. Extensive steps have been taken to minimize ecological disruption, including developing a 300-hectare wetland recovery area using materials dredged from the sea.
Once operational in 2029, the Fehmarnbelt tunnel is estimated to handle over 100 trains and 12,000 vehicles per day. Revenue from toll fees is projected to cover the state-backed loans for construction within approximately forty years. Local residents are enthusiastic about the anticipated economic growth and job opportunities that this major infrastructure project is expected to bring to Lolland, one of Denmark’s economically disadvantaged areas.
"They have been waiting for this project for many years," concluded Wede, reflecting the community's eagerness for the benefits the tunnel will offer.
