When it comes to civil engineering and infrastructure development, a very interesting project is being developed in Europe. It is a $7.5 billion engineering marvel called the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel. The tunnel, located on the tranquil German island of Fehmarn, is part of the Scan-Med Corridor, the northern axis of the Trans-European Transport Network.
Moving Freight (and People) Across Europe
The Scan-Med Corridor is an impressive transport network spanning nearly 3,100 miles, from Malta in the South to Finland in the North. This extensive network drills through Alpine mountains and crosses waterways, connecting various parts of the continent. However, a peculiar detour in this route has long been a point of contention among engineers, truck drivers, and travelers alike.
Travelers heading north on the Scan-Med Corridor must take a 310-mile detour through Denmark to reach Sweden. The reason for this detour is a stretch of water between Germany and Denmark known as the Fehmarn Belt. Despite the existence of massive bridges and tunnels elsewhere along the corridor, this stretch of water has posed a significant challenge to engineers for decades.
A Submerged Shortcut
The Fehmarn Belt Tunnel project aims to overcome this challenge. Once completed, it will be the longest immersed tunnel in the world. The 11-mile tunnel will eliminate the need for the current detour and provide a direct route between Scandinavia and Central Europe.
The Fehmarn Belt Tunnel project is one of Europe’s largest construction sites, and there is no instruction manual for building something of this magnitude. The project has sparked concerns about its impact on nature, but proponents argue that the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks. The tunnel will significantly reduce travel time and enhance connectivity. It will save 300 miles per truck traveling that route, to begin with.
Tunneling Towards a Sustainable Future
As you can imagine, we love tunnels. We can’t wait to start our tunneling project in Northern Colombia. The Panama Canal is a marvel of engineering but operates at max capacity that can’t be increased. An alternative shipping route is needed across the South American continent to keep up with the growth in global trade. Another canal would have a major impact on the environment, cutting through rainforests and other fragile ecosystems. It is the reason we are going underground. Read more about our tunnel here.
The video below gives a great peak into this amazing tunneling project:
