CHAPTER 10
Fixed Link Projects in Denmark and
Ecological Monitoring of the 0resund Fixed Link
Henning Karup
10.1
Introduction
Denmark consists of a large number of islands (Zealand and Funen are the two largest)
and the mainland Jutland, which is the only part connected with the European continent.
Fixed links between the various regions have been discussed during most of the twentieth
century. In the 1930S the first bridge from Jutland to Funen and the bridge from Zealand to
Falster Island were built. At the same time the first plans to construct a Great Belt link
between Funen and Zealand and a fixed link from Denmark to Sweden were presented
and, in the following years, new plans appeared in the public debate with regular intervals. In the 1970S the capacity of the bridges erected 40 years earlier became inadequate
and new bridges were constructed from Jutland to Funen, and Sealand to Falster.
10.2
Great Belt Link
After a long political discussion and public debate the construction of the Great Belt
Link started in 1989. The scheme consists of a four-lane motorwayand a twin-track
electrified railway. From Sealand to the small island of Sprog0 in the middle of the
Great Belt the railway is led through a tunnel and the motorway lies on a high bridge.
From Sprog0 Island to Funen both the railway and the motorway continue on a low
bridge. In total, the Great Belt Link is 18 km from coast to coast. The link opened for
trains 1 July 1997 and the motorway will be opened in June 1998.
In connection with the public debate on the Great Belt Link project, environmental
queries were raised for the first time regarding a construction scheme of this type. The
Great Belt Link is erected across the main route of water exchange with the Baltic Sea. It
was therefore decided to adopt a so-called zero solution, meaning that the inflow and outflow of water to the Baltic Sea was not to be affected. The zero solution has been made by
optimising the link design, and by the use of compensation dredging in the Great Belt.
A comprehensive hydrographic investigation programme was establised together
with the control and monitoring programmes dealing with environmental impact on
the area concerned. The programmes are conducted by the Great Belt Consortium.
10.3
The 0resund Link
In 1991 the Danish and Swedish governments decided to construct a fixed link from
Denmark to Sweden, and the construction of the coast to coast facility started in 1995.
Fixed Link Projects in Denmark and
Ecological Monitoring of the 0resund Fixed Link
Henning Karup
10.1
Introduction
Denmark consists of a large number of islands (Zealand and Funen are the two largest)
and the mainland Jutland, which is the only part connected with the European continent.
Fixed links between the various regions have been discussed during most of the twentieth
century. In the 1930S the first bridge from Jutland to Funen and the bridge from Zealand to
Falster Island were built. At the same time the first plans to construct a Great Belt link
between Funen and Zealand and a fixed link from Denmark to Sweden were presented
and, in the following years, new plans appeared in the public debate with regular intervals. In the 1970S the capacity of the bridges erected 40 years earlier became inadequate
and new bridges were constructed from Jutland to Funen, and Sealand to Falster.
10.2
Great Belt Link
After a long political discussion and public debate the construction of the Great Belt
Link started in 1989. The scheme consists of a four-lane motorwayand a twin-track
electrified railway. From Sealand to the small island of Sprog0 in the middle of the
Great Belt the railway is led through a tunnel and the motorway lies on a high bridge.
From Sprog0 Island to Funen both the railway and the motorway continue on a low
bridge. In total, the Great Belt Link is 18 km from coast to coast. The link opened for
trains 1 July 1997 and the motorway will be opened in June 1998.
In connection with the public debate on the Great Belt Link project, environmental
queries were raised for the first time regarding a construction scheme of this type. The
Great Belt Link is erected across the main route of water exchange with the Baltic Sea. It
was therefore decided to adopt a so-called zero solution, meaning that the inflow and outflow of water to the Baltic Sea was not to be affected. The zero solution has been made by
optimising the link design, and by the use of compensation dredging in the Great Belt.
A comprehensive hydrographic investigation programme was establised together
with the control and monitoring programmes dealing with environmental impact on
the area concerned. The programmes are conducted by the Great Belt Consortium.
10.3
The 0resund Link
In 1991 the Danish and Swedish governments decided to construct a fixed link from
Denmark to Sweden, and the construction of the coast to coast facility started in 1995.