The current austerity policy in the German federal government should under no circumstances jeopardize the realization of the future rail link between Germany and Denmark. Completing the connection on the German side of the Fehmarn Belt Link, which was originally planned for 2029, is far from certain.
This message was delivered in a press release from the Fehmarn Belt Business Council (FBBC) following a meeting in Copenhagen. The FBBC is an alliance of German, Danish, and Swedish chambers of commerce and business associations. The FBBC now expects a reliable commitment to completing the hinterland connection, including the Fehmarn Sound Tunnel.
Numerous uncertainties raise concerns
Deutsche Bahn (DB) has stated that it will continue to pursue expansion and new construction projects despite limitations in the federal budget. The FBBC welcomes this statement, but it’s not enough to provide peace of mind, given the many uncertainties, especially with the highly complex planning process in mind.
“Any further delay of the connection on the German side will significantly damage Germany’s image,” says the FBBC. “In addition, the Federal Republic risks losing its status as a reliable partner in Northern Europe if the connection on the German side is not completed by 2029. Companies in Denmark, Germany, and Sweden, which have planned their investments based on an opening in 2029, will incur significant losses,” the FBBC writes in the press release.
€45 billion reduced to €12 billion
The German federal government announced in September 2023 that it was prepared to invest €45 billion in upgrading the German rail infrastructure. However, a significant portion of this funding is now allocated elsewhere due to budget cuts in the federal budget. The current budget provides only €12.1 billion for the rail system. The available funds will primarily be used to maintain and modernize the existing network.
