The Fehmarnbelt Link approved in Germany and Denmark

On 10 July, 2009, Germany’s Federal Council (the German Upper House) approved the state treaty between Denmark and Germany for a fixed link across the Fehmarnbelt. One month earlier, on 18 June, 2009, the German Bundestag voted in favour of the state treaty with a solid majority. The government parties, the CDU/CSU and SPD and the liberal FDP support the project, although one MP from the CDU and several from the SPD voted against it. The Greens and the left-wing Die Linke party voted unanimously against.

The Danish Transport Minister Lars Barfoed comments:
"I’m delighted that the legislative work in both Denmark and Germany has now been completed and adopted by a large majority in the Folketing and the Bundestag. The planning work can now begin in earnest. A number of major studies, in particular the environmental surveys, will now determine the link’s final design. I’m looking  forward to Denmark and Germany working together on the construction of the Fehmarnbelt link which will bring Denmark and Scandinavia closer to Germany and the rest of Europe. The link is a major project for Europe and will help create growth as well as jobs. The link will benefit local communities and businesses and will improve the framework conditions for business and industry, especially in the regions close to the link. And I’m extremely pleased, too, that the link will improve the railway network, particularly rail freight."

The Fehmarnbelt Link will be owned by Denmark
In Denmark, the Folketing gave the Fehmarnbelt link the go-ahead by passing the Planning Act on 26 March, 2009. Reflecting the widespread support for the link in Denmark, all parties, with the exception of Enhedslisten, voted in favour. Following the vote, the Danish Transport Minister appointed the state-owned company, Femern A/S, to plan and design the fixed link.

Femern A/S is part of the Sund & Bælt group which is responsible for the construction and operation of the fixed links across Storebælt and Øresund. Femern A/S’ expertise is based, therefore, on two other largescale and successful bridge and tunnel projects undertaken within the last 20 years.

”The Fehmarn project will benefit greatly from the knowledge gained from the Storebælt and Øresund projects. But we must also apply innovative thinking during the planning and execution of the Fehmarnbelt link,” says Peter Lundhus, CEO of Femern A/S. “Femern A/S currently employs around 50 people in addition to a couple of hundred who work for our full­-time consultants.”  

Femern A/S’ first major task will be to plan a construction project that can be approved by the relevant authorities in Germany and Denmark. The process is expected to extend over the next three to four years.

Alongside the planning, Femern A/S will also prepare tender material for the contracts offered for international tender. Once the contracts have been approved by the authorities in both countries, the Danish Minister of Transport will table a Public Works bill in the Folketing. This is expected to happen around 2012. Once the Public Works Act has been approved, the actual construction work can begin.

Since early 2009, intensive environmental surveys have been carried out in and around Fehmarnbelt in accordance with the EU’s EIA Directive. Geotechnical borings are also being carried out on land and at sea. The results of environmental surveys and geotechnical borings will help define the precise alignment between Rødby and Puttgarden.

The outcome of the studies will also form part of the decision as to whether to build a bridge or a tunnel. Two engineering consultancy groups have been working for Femern A/S since April on the respective bridge and tunnel solutions.

The preferred solution is a cable-stayed bridge with an immersed tunnel as the preferred alternative.