In June 2024, Deutsche Bahn informed FemernReport that the hinterland connection to the Fehmarnbelt tunnel would be ready by the tunnel’s opening in 2029. A significant part of this connection is a completely new immersed tunnel under the Fehmarnsund, the strait between the island of Fehmarn and the German mainland. According to Deutsche Bahn, which is overseeing the project, construction of the tunnel is scheduled to begin in 2026.
– It will be difficult
However, progress on the German hinterland project has been sluggish. For this reason, a delegation from the Danish Parliament’s Transport Committee traveled to Germany in September, partly to receive a status update from Deutsche Bahn. But the chairman of the committee, Social Democrat Rasmus Prehn, is less than enthusiastic about the message:
– They say they’re on track. But you get the sense that it will be difficult. They are in the process of electrifying the old Fehmarnsund Bridge, but it can’t handle freight traffic. It’s hard to imagine that they can make it. There are only a few months until 2025, says Rasmus Prehn.
Can produce elements in Rødbyhavn
A major part of constructing the tunnel under the Fehmarnsund is establishing the factory that will build the tunnel elements. According to Deutsche Bahn’s plans and previous announcements, this factory will be located in Grossenbrode. Here, Denmark has offered its assistance to the German contractor:
– We have offered to help. There is already an element factory in Rødbyhavn that can produce these elements, says Rasmus Prehn.
Pressuring the Germans
The committee chairman does not hide that there was a secondary motive behind the visit to Germany:
– This is not satisfactory, but we have to believe their message. The Transport Committee went there to put pressure on the Germans. When you have an agreement, you must honor it. And we will continue to apply pressure, says Rasmus Prehn.
