The tunnel will allow commuters to travel between two major European countries. (Image: Getty)
An epic underwater road and rail tunnel will drastically cut travel times between southern and northern to as little as seven minutes.
Construction on the Fehmarnbelt link, an 11-mile immersed tunnel which will be the longest of its kind in the world, is underway, with plans to launch in 2029.
Travelling from the island of Lolland to Fehmarn in currently neccessitates a 45-minute ferry ride.
But the Fehmarnbelt tunnel promises to bring a dramatic boost to transport links between the two nations, connecting Rødbyhavn in Denmark with Puttgarden in , in around 10 minutes by car and a mere seven by .
Speaking to , Denise Juchem, spokesperson from Femern A/S, the Danish firm preparing the project previously said: “For commuters, it means a faster and more reliable connection between Denmark and , significantly reducing travel time and making daily commutes much more convenient.”
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Fehmarnbelt (Image: Getty)
The team have also said the tunnel will reduce congestion on pre-existing road and rail routes and make it easier for tourists to visit and explore both countries, the outlet reports.
The long-term infrastructure project will also connect with onward travel north to Copenhagen via the Danish island of Zealand, and the road network will connect with ‘s motorway network.
Femern A/S says it will “revolutionise travel between Scandinavia and Central Europe by providing a faster, more reliable and direct connection”.
The tunnel has had to meet strict environmental standards, causing minimal impact to the surrounding ecosystems and biodiversity, with specialised ships monitoring progress on these efforts.
Impacts on the natural landscapes which are unavoidable will be offset by the creation of new natural areas elsewhere, officials said.
The project was previously expected to to cost 55.1 billion kroner (£4bn), including funding from an grant of €1.1bn (£933m) and €117 million (£99m) from associated railway facilities.
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Fehmarnbelt (Image: Getty)
The figure has since risen to £6.2 billion with the tunnel being financed by Denmark and ultimately paid for with income from tolls.
But while the tunnel will be a major boost to drivers, it’s hoped the even faster travel times promised by the train transport element of the project will encourage commuters to move from road to rail.
“This shift is expected to reduce CO2 emissions substantially, as rail transport is more efficient and less polluting compared to road transport,” Juchem told the outlet.
Michael Løvendal Kruse, a spokesperson for Danish Society for Nature Conservation NGO said the organisation sees the Fehmarnbelt link as “a very important project as far as the climate is concerned.”
“It will strengthen the transport of freight and passengers by means of the most transport currently in existence, i.e. electric trains,” he added.
Juchem says the more direct route the tunnel provides for international trucks and trains will save around 160 kilometres (99 miles) of travel, “thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions”.
“By establishing a fully electrified rail corridor, the tunnel supports the use of green energy and transport solutions, further integrating Europe’s transport network and promoting a greener future.”