Denmark-Germany tunnel project begins lowering of first element
The first of 89 tunnel elements for the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel between Germany and Denmark is being transported to its immersion site off the coast of Rødbyhavn on the Danish island of Lolland.The move marks the start of the installation phase, project developer Femern A/S said on Monday.The standard element measures 217 metres in length and 42 metres in width and consists of four tubes that will house a motorway and a railway line, as well as a narrower service tube for technical installations between the road tunnels.The element is being towed into position by five tugboats and a special vessel designed to lower the massive structures onto the seabed.The Fehmarn Belt Tunnel, an 18-kilometre road and rail link between Germany and Denmark, is expected to connect the Baltic island of Fehmarn with Lolland, cutting travel times between the Hamburg and Copenhagen regions. Ferries currently operate on the route.In January, Danish state-owned construction company Sund & Bælt said the opening of the tunnel was likely to be delayed until 2031, partly because of missing permits. Once the first tunnel elements have been sunk, a new timetable will be drawn up, it had now said.
