Denmark and Germany are on the brink of a major transportation revolution with the construction of the world’s longest underwater rail and road tunnel. This ambitious project, known as the Fehmarnbelt tunnel, aims to dramatically cut travel times between Scandinavia and Central Europe.
Danish King Frederik X recently inaugurated the first segment of this 18-kilometer tunnel, which will run under the Baltic Sea, connecting southern Denmark to northern Germany. Once completed, the tunnel is expected to play a significant role in the green transition of the transport sector by offering a faster and more environmentally friendly alternative to the current ferry service.
Currently, traveling between Denmark and Germany involves a 45-minute ferry ride. However, the Fehmarnbelt tunnel will reduce this journey to a mere seven minutes by train and ten minutes by car. The tunnel will link the Danish town of Roedby with Puttgarten in Germany, providing seamless connections by road and rail to Central Europe and the Nordic countries.
The first section of the tunnel, a 217-meter concrete element, was unveiled by King Frederik X. This segment will be submerged into a trench on the seabed later this year. The inauguration also included a ceremonial placement of a time capsule containing various objects donated by the construction team, symbolizing the historic significance of this project.
Sund & Baelt, the company responsible for building the Fehmarn link, claims that the tunnel will be the longest submersible tunnel in the world and will feature an electrified train track. The project will consist of 89 concrete elements, each being constructed at a dedicated facility in Roedbyhavn, which is currently North Europe’s largest construction site.
The Fehmarnbelt tunnel is set to open in 2029 and is projected to cost 55.1 billion kroner (€4.8 billion). The expense will be covered by user tolls, with the Danish government deciding the toll charges at a later stage. This project follows Denmark’s successful history of constructing road-and-rail links, such as the Oresund bridge-and-tunnel link to Sweden and the road link between Funen and Zealand.
As the Fehmarnbelt tunnel progresses, it promises to enhance connectivity, reduce travel times, and support the shift towards more sustainable transportation in the region.
