The mega-project, tunnelling 18 kilometres and 40 metres below sea level, will connect the German island of Fehmarn with Lolland in Denmark in what is set to be the longest underwater rail and road tunnel ever constructed.
Work has been ongoing since 2020 and the ambitious piece of infrastructure, which would cut car and train journeys between the two countries to under 10 minutes, is not expected to open until 2029.
The Fehmarn Belt is part of the European Commission’s Ten-T programme, focused on developing closer transport links on the continent, and is the largest-scale project currently underway in Northern Europe.
Once built, it will replace the ferry service currently operated by Scandlines between the two islands, which covers 11 miles and takes around 45 minutes.
The ground-breaking new route was initially priced in the region of £4.6 billion, but has since risen to £6.2 billion, with the cost covered by Denmark via a toll collection system, supplemented by a £700 million payment from Germany to connect the tunnel to its highway network.
The King of Denmark, Frederik X, marked the completion of the first 217-metre stretch in June and it was submerged in the Danish side of the underwater stretch this year.
From Lolland, the route will provide a direct link from northern Germany to the Danish city of Copenhagen in Zealand – forming a major connective route between central Europe and Scandinavia.
The electrified high-speed line will reportedly be capable of speeds up to 125mph.
Minister of Transport Thomas Danielson has described the tunnel as a “fantastic cross-border infrastructure project” and a “milestone in Danish history”.
Meanwhile, Mikkel Hemmingsen, CEO of Sun & Bælt, the state-owned firm behind the tunnel, says it marks a turning point for Denmark’s global reputation in engineering and megaprojects.
Speaking after the first part of the tunnel was completed this year, he said: “Today is visible proof of how far we have come. The Fehmarn Belt tunnel will show the way fore many other major projects in Denmark and in the rest of the world.”
