The construction projects on the German side of the Fehmarn project are getting started far too slowly. Schleswig-Holstein’s transport minister, Claus Ruhe Madsen (outside the parties) warns that the country risks embarrassment throughout Europe. This is written by the German press agency, DPA, and Der Nordschleswiger.
Pan-European embarrassment
– We still have time, but we have to get a move on. Otherwise, it will be a pan-European embarrassment if we do not manage to finish. On our side, we have been busy with the problems for too long and not enough with the solutions, says Danish-born Madsen to the German press agency.
On the German side, the Lübeck-Puttgarden train route and federal road 207 are to be expanded in 2029, and a 380 kilovolt power line is to be established. Conservation organizations have delayed the process of filing lawsuits.
The old bridge over the Femernsund will not be able to handle the traffic in the Baltic Sea Tunnel. Deutsche Bahn initially estimated the cost of a replacement tunnel at 714 million euros.
Nobody wants to build recklessly
Claus Ruhe Madsen kalder det ”en helt igennem realistisk trussel. Men vi er sporty i norden og tackler det hele pragmatisk,” skriver DPA og Der Nordschleswiger.
– This is not a Schleswig-Holstein project, it is one of the largest construction sites in Europe. Nobody wants to build recklessly, says Claus Ruhe Madsen.
Almost 15 years after the agreement between Denmark and Germany, discussions about fundamental conditions will not go down well with anyone.
– Not even on the danish side, concludes Claus Ruhe Madsen in his critique.
