Femern Link: tunnel will be cheaper than bridge

The proposed three span suspension bridge proposed for the Femern Link is now expected to be more expensive than the alternative tunnel proposal. The bridge is now estimated to cost DKr 38.5 billion and the tunnel DKr 37.9 billion at 2008 prices.

Femern A/S, the company behind the project, presented the surprise findings at a meeting with political backers. It follows an extensive investigation into the construction options. The changes in cost are partly due to underground geology not being as stable as thought originally. This has resulted in a rethink with other solutions being examined.

Politicians generally seem to prefer a bridge solution as it is more visible than a tunnel. However, whichever form the crossing takes, it has been delayed by two years due to increased environmental investigation demands. Opening is now scheduled for 2020, which means a potential loss of DKr 4 billion in revenue, as well as expenditure of DKr 800 million for additional consultations.

Top to bottom: cross section of the proposed Femern bridge; an overall view of it; a cross section of the alternative tunnel.