Construction of the world’s longest immersed tunnel, spanning beneath the Baltic Sea to link Denmark and Germany, marks a significant milestone as the first tunnel element was inaugurated on June 17 by King Frederik X of Denmark. This ambitious project, known as the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, is set to revolutionize travel between the two countries upon its completion in 2029, dramatically reducing journey times compared to current ferry services.
The tunnel, stretching 18 kilometers (11.1 miles) across the Fehmarn Belt strait between the German island of Fehmarn and the Danish island of Lolland, represents one of Europe’s largest infrastructure endeavors with a construction budget exceeding 7 billion euros ($7.1 billion). Utilizing 89 massive concrete sections manufactured at an advanced production facility east of Rødbyhavn in Denmark, the project aims to streamline transportation by offering a swift seven-minute train journey and a ten-minute car ride, significantly shorter than the current 45-minute ferry crossing.
