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Under the Baltic: A New Era of Connectivity with the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel
A groundbreaking infrastructure project is underway beneath the Baltic Sea, connecting Denmark and Germany through what will be the longest pre-fabricated road and rail tunnel globally. Dubbed the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, this ambitious 18-kilometer (11 miles) construction is set to revolutionize travel between Hamburg and Copenhagen.
Unlike traditional underwater tunnels which traverse through bedrock, the Fehmarnbelt will feature segments resting directly on the seafloor, joined together much like building blocks. This method presents a remarkable engineering challenge, as over 90 massive components are meticulously manufactured at a facility located on the coast of Lolland island in southeastern Denmark. Here, a sprawling area of over 500 hectares (1,235 acres) is dedicated to the project.
Henrik Vincentsen, the chief executive of Femern, the state-owned company overseeing the construction, emphasized the significance of this operation, stating, “It’s a huge facility here.” Each segment of the tunnel, measuring 217 meters (712 feet) in length and 42 meters in width, consists of reinforced steel encased in concrete to ensure durability.
Innovative Construction Techniques
The construction involves a unique approach that diverges from the methods used for other underwater tunnels, such as the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France. The assembly will see segments linked without extensive underwater drilling, making it a pioneering project at this scale. Vincentsen remarked, “We are breaking records with this project.” The innovative immersed tunnel design offers both logistical advantages and potential cost savings.
With a projected budget of approximately €7.4 billion ($8.1 billion; £6.3 billion), funding primarily comes from Denmark, with an additional €1.3 billion secured from the European Commission. This extensive investment is a part of EU initiatives aimed at improving connectivity across Europe while promoting more sustainable travel alternatives.
Impact on Travel and Environment
Once operational, the tunnel will drastically cut travel times. The journey that currently involves a 45-minute ferry ride between Rødbyhavn in Denmark and Puttgarden in Germany will be reduced to just 10 minutes by car or 7 minutes by train. Furthermore, the new rail route will compress the travel time from Copenhagen to Hamburg from five hours to a mere 2.5 hours.
“It’s not just linking Denmark to Germany; it’s creating a vital link for Scandinavia to central Europe,” Vincentsen noted. With this reduction in distance, travelers can expect lower carbon emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
As construction progresses, integrity and safety are paramount. Senior construction manager Anders Gert Wede provided insight into the evolving worksite, describing the procedure of immersing each segment into a previously excavated trench on the seabed with utmost precision, employing advanced technology such as underwater cameras and GPS.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite its numerous advantages, the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel faced delays due to opposition from various groups concerned about ecological impacts, particularly regarding marine life. In 2020, a legal challenge by Nabu (The Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union), which raised alarms about potential harm to harbour porpoises and sensitive marine habitats, was ultimately dismissed, allowing construction to move forward.
Addressing these concerns, Vincentsen highlighted efforts to minimize ecological disruption, mentioning plans for a new 300-hectare wetland area, designed to offer both nature conservation and recreational opportunities, built from materials excavated during the construction process.
Anticipated completion of the tunnel is set for 2029, with forecasts indicating it will accommodate over 100 trains and 12,000 vehicles daily. This development is expected to stimulate economic growth in Lolland, particularly benefiting the local community as they have long awaited such an investment in their region.
With the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, Denmark and Germany are not only improving regional travel and trade but are also exploring innovative solutions that could set precedents for future infrastructure projects worldwide.
Source
www.bbc.com