Name of the Project
Fehmarnbelt fixed link project.

Location
The Fehmarnbelt link will be built between Rødbyhavn on Lolland, in Denmark, and the German island of Fehmarn.

Client
Femern.

Project Description
The project entails the construction of the world’s longest immersed tunnel of its type for road and rail transport.

The Fehmarnbelt link will be 18 km long and 40 m below sea level.

In contrast to a bored tunnel, an immersed tunnel comprises hollow concrete elements, cast on land and assembled section by section to form the tunnel.

The tunnel will comprise a four-lane motorway and two electrified rail tracks. It will consist of 79 individual elements, each 217 m long, and ten special elements with a lower floor for the tunnel operation and maintenance equipment.

The trench for the tunnel will entail the excavation of about 19-million cubic metres of stone and sand from the seabed. This will be used to establish about 3 k of new natural areas on Lolland and, to a lesser extent, on Fehmarn.

Once complete, it will take ten minutes to travel from Denmark to Germany by car and seven minutes by train.

Motorists will be able to drive at 110 km/h in the tunnel. Electric trains will be able to travel at 200 km/h.

Jobs to Be Created
Up to 3 000 people will be directly employed in building the Fehmarnbelt tunnel.

Value
The construction budget for the Fehmarnbelt link is DKr52.6-billion.

The Fehmarnbelt link will be user-financed. Revenues from the link will repay the loans that financed construction.

Duration
The project is expected to take about 8.5 years to complete.

Latest Developments
Arup, in joint venture with Rambøll and Tunnel Engineering Consultants (TEC), will provide consultancy services and technical support for the construction of the tunnel.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Femern Link Contractors (construction of the immersed tunnel and the tunnel element factory, and construction of the portal structures, toll buildings, bridges and ramps); Dredging International (dredging contract) COWI (consultant) and Arup (consultancy services and technical support for the construction of the tunnel).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Femern, tel +45 33 41 63 00 or email info@femern.dk.