The Fehmarnsund Tunnel could be ready by 2035

The tunnel under the Fehmarnsund will likely be completed even later than previously assumed. This is according to the Infraplan published by the Federal Ministry of Transport. The state government of Schleswig-Holstein criticizes the renewed delay.

The recently published Infraplan names a “planned commissioning by 2035” for the tunnel. According to the original plan, the tunnel was supposed to be completed in 2029. It was clear that the deadline could not be met. Most recently, completion in 2032 was considered.

The Infraplan does not give a reason why the tunnel is apparently to be completed later. The designation “by 2035” describes “a period with a latest commissioning date”, a spokesperson for Deutsche Bahn told the Flensburger Tageblatt daily newspaper. However, the goal is to “complete the connection as quickly and efficiently as possible”.

Delays on German and Danish sides

The Fehmarnsund Tunnel is intended to connect the island of Fehmarn with the mainland. It is part of the fixed Fehmarnbelt crossing, which consists of two parts: an 18-kilometer-long tunnel under the Fehmarnbelt from Denmark to the island of Fehmarn and the hinterland connection under the Fehmarnsund. The project was supposed to be completed in 2029, but it is being delayed on both sides, the Danish as well as the German. The Fehmarnbelt tunnel, built by Denmark, is currently scheduled for completion in 2031.

For several years, there might be no connection to the German mainland. Currently, the Fehmarnsund is spanned by a bridge. It is unclear whether the bridge, built in the 1960s and nicknamed “Clothes Hanger”, can withstand the strain of increased traffic volume.

In addition, the railway line over the Clothes Hanger is not electrified. Deutsche Bahn briefly considered electrifying the line. “Whether temporary electrification of the Fehmarnsund Bridge will be necessary is subject to the results of discussions with the Danish project partners”, stated Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU). Then “a reliable overall assessment of the schedule situation will be possible”.

Irritated Transport Minister

Criticism comes from Schleswig-Holstein’s Transport Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen (CDU). He is “irritated” by the 2035 date. “We cannot afford any further delays on this important project”, he emphasized and announced a meeting with Bilger.

The fixed Fehmarnbelt crossing is an important European infrastructure project as part of the Trans-European Network. It is intended to shorten the travel time from Hamburg to Copenhagen by two hours.

The tunnel between Denmark and Germany will consist of 89 segments, which will be sunk into a 12-meter-deep trench on the Baltic Sea floor. Such a component is 217 meters long and 42 meters wide. It weighs 73,500 tons and is additionally ballasted with 4,500 tons of ballast to make it sink. They are manufactured in a factory near the construction site in Rødbyhavn. The first tunnel element was lowered in early May in a multi-day maneuver.

(wpl)