The opening of the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link will reduce the travel time with 30 minutes between continental Europe and Scandinavia and eliminating the time spent on embarking, disembarking and waiting for ferries.
As one of the first steps towards realization of the fixed link a bridge and an immersed tunnel option are under design. These designs are undertaken by separate groups of consultants commissioned by the state owned organization Femern A/S, established to plan the link. The two designs are prepared in isolation and it is the intention to select one of the options for further development.
The whole link, which measures some 25km in length, has been divided into four workgroups, namely the immersed tunnel, marine works, installations and portal & ramps. The Link will consist of a two-lane dual highway and a dual railway with a 120 year design life. The tunnel will be approximately 40m below the seabed and during its life time some 100,000 ships will pass over it.