The opening of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, connecting Germany and Denmark, has been delayed by two years, pushing the expected completion date to 2031. The state-owned Danish construction company, Sund & Bælt Holding A/S, cited technical difficulties with the lowering of tunnel elements as the cause for the delay.
A Complex Engineering Project
The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is an immersed tunnel, a construction method where individual tunnel sections are prefabricated onshore, sealed at both ends, and then lowered into a prepared trench on the seabed. These elements are then connected to form the complete tunnel structure.
“It was more difficult than planned,” stated Mikkel Hemmingsen, CEO of Sund & Bælt Holding A/S. He explained that the lowering method, utilizing two specialized vessels, had only been previously tested on the Öresund bridge-tunnel.
Broader Construction Delays
The 18-kilometer tunnel is designed to accommodate both automobile and train traffic, linking the German island of Fehmarn with the Danish island of Lolland. Construction of the connecting infrastructure on the German side, including a tunnel between Fehmarn and the German mainland, is also expected to be delayed beyond 2029.
Whether the lost time can be recovered remains uncertain, according to Sund & Bælt Holding A/S.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an immersed tunnel?
An immersed tunnel is constructed by building tunnel sections onshore, floating them to the desired location, and sinking them into a prepared trench on the seabed before connecting them.
Where does the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel connect?
The tunnel will connect the German island of Fehmarn with the Danish island of Lolland.
What caused the delay?
The delay is due to technical difficulties encountered during the lowering of the tunnel elements, according to Sund & Bælt Holding A/S.
As construction progresses, will the project team be able to mitigate the delays and adhere to a revised timeline, or will further challenges arise?
