Germany is to adhere to plans for a tunnel between Fehmarn, Germany, and Lolland, Denmark despite criticism over the cost and a delayed schedule.
Denmark alone is likely to foot the €7.4 billion bill for the prestigious Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link immersed tunnel while Germany will pay for only access roads and other connections on its territory.
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, said her government and transport authorities will respond to more than 3,000 objections over the construction of the tunnel. German media reported that the audit committee of the German lower house may exam the possibility of new negotiations for the state contract as the costs for the connection has become more expensive than expected.
The tunnel is part of the major infrastructure project called the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link to connect the German island of Fehmarn with the Danish island of Lolland. The tunnel, including two railway tunnels, two motorway tunnels and an emergency tunnel, will cross the 18km-wide Fehmarn Belt, or Fehmarn Strait, in the Baltic Sea.
Fehmarn Island is already connected by bridge to the German mainland and Lolland is already connected by a tunnel and bridges to Zealand over the island Falster. Zealand is the most populated island in Denmark with a population just under 2.5 million, representing about 45% of the country's population.
3260 World Highways reported in February that the Danish government was talking to contractors over the latest rise, a jump of €1.2 billion, in cost estimates for entire project. Contractors estimated an extra €295.5 million will be needed. This is in addition to a statement last November by the contracting company Femern saying that costs had risen nearly €900 million.
Denmark alone is likely to foot the €7.4 billion bill for the prestigious Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link immersed tunnel while Germany will pay for only access roads and other connections on its territory.
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, said her government and transport authorities will respond to more than 3,000 objections over the construction of the tunnel. German media reported that the audit committee of the German lower house may exam the possibility of new negotiations for the state contract as the costs for the connection has become more expensive than expected.
The tunnel is part of the major infrastructure project called the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link to connect the German island of Fehmarn with the Danish island of Lolland. The tunnel, including two railway tunnels, two motorway tunnels and an emergency tunnel, will cross the 18km-wide Fehmarn Belt, or Fehmarn Strait, in the Baltic Sea.
Fehmarn Island is already connected by bridge to the German mainland and Lolland is already connected by a tunnel and bridges to Zealand over the island Falster. Zealand is the most populated island in Denmark with a population just under 2.5 million, representing about 45% of the country's population.
