New tunnel under Germany’s River Elbe

Plans are moving forward for the construction of a new highway tunnel under the River Elbe in Germany. The 6.5km tunnel will form part of the A20 autobahn linking Bad Segeberg and Bremerhaven. The tunnel will be constructed Glückstadt and Drochtersen and a section of the A26 autobahn that connects with the busy port city of Hamburg. The project is expected to cost some €2 billion to construct. Bids are already being submitted, including an offer by French firm 5177 Vinci using the PPP model and intended to share construction costs with the German Government. Vinci’s offer would include the company claiming a portion of the truck toll revenue, with construction work aimed to start in 2015 and completion in 2020. The tunnel would be tolled under this proposal with a charge of €2/car and €12/truck, with Vinci also retaining this income and the German Government taking ownership of the tunnel and autobahn in 50 years.