The Fehmarnsund Tunnel, intended to replace the aging Fehmarnsund Bridge and improve the connection between Germany and Denmark, is progressing with minimal public objection, despite a significant escalation in costs. This infrastructure project, designed to serve as the critical land link for the future Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, has encountered only 57 formal objections during the public consultation phase, a notably low figure for a development of this magnitude.

The planned tunnel will connect the island of Fehmarn with Schleswig-Holstein, replacing the current Fehmarnsund Bridge from the 1960s, which will remain accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, and slow-moving vehicles. The majority of automobile and railway traffic will be redirected through the new tunnel, thereby reducing exposure to adverse weather conditions that often impact the existing bridge. Upon completion, the federal highway B207 will also traverse the tunnel, streamlining traffic flow between Germany and Scandinavia.

Background and Project Scope

The Fehmarnsund Tunnel is considerably shorter than the 17.6-kilometer Fehmarnbelt Tunnel but remains a vital link in the trans-European corridor. After rigorous analysis and evaluation of possible alternatives, including bridge and tunnel options, authorities selected the immersed tunnel method as the preferred solution. This decision was influenced by the necessity to address the bottleneck created by the old bridge, which was not initially recognized as a significant challenge for the new Scandinavian connection.

Delays and Rising Costs

Despite its strategic importance, the tunnel project has encountered several setbacks. Recently, it was confirmed that the original completion target of late 2029 is now unattainable. Regulatory estimates suggest that the tunnel will only be operational by the end of 2032. The delays are compounded by a tripling of expected costs. While initial estimates placed the total expenditure at approximately 714 million euros, updated projections have surged to around 2.3 billion euros, primarily due to increased construction costs and related expenditures.

Low Level of Opposition

Unlike the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, which received over 12,000 objections during its planning phase, the Fehmarnsund Tunnel's public participation process resulted in only a small number of concerns being raised. This limited opposition reduces the likelihood of further legal or procedural delays. Moreover, legal challenges regarding the project do not have an automatic suspensive effect, except in cases involving urgent court actions, making significant interruptions to the timeline less probable.

Coordination with Danish Side

Progress on the German side is indirectly influenced by delays in Denmark, where the construction of a specialized ship required for the immersed tunnel has been postponed. This has affected the overall synchronization of the project's timeline. Nevertheless, stakeholders from both countries are working to align their schedules to ensure coordinated completion of the cross-border infrastructure.

Strategic Importance

Once completed, the Fehmarnsund Tunnel will play a pivotal role in strengthening transport links between Germany and Scandinavia, supporting both passenger and freight traffic. The modern tunnel will not only offer enhanced reliability and safety for travelers but will also support the regional and international economy by facilitating smoother transit across the Baltic Sea corridor.

In summary, despite facing significant financial and scheduling challenges, the Fehmarnsund Tunnel project remains on track with limited public resistance. The successful realization of the tunnel is expected to deliver long-term benefits for inter-European connectivity and the movement of goods and people between Germany and Denmark.