Fehmarn Belt Tunnel lowers third element, advancing 18‑km link FAST-MOVING
The third of 89 massive concrete sections for the Fehmarn Belt tunnel has been lowered onto the seabed between Denmark and Germany. The 217‑metre long, 73,500‑tonne element was positioned by five tugboats and connected to the existing tunnel segment, then covered with stone and gravel for stability.
The element, named Heiligenhafen after the German coastal town, is part of an 18‑kilometre submerged tunnel that will carry a four‑lane motorway and two electrified railway tracks. Expected travel times are about ten minutes by car and seven minutes by train. The project, described as one of Europe’s largest infrastructure undertakings, is now at least two years behind schedule, with full completion projected for after 2030.
Project operator Femern A/S and main contractor Sund & Bælt highlighted the precision required for each lowering operation. Lasse Vester, vice‑contract director of Sund & Bælt, said, “Each lowering is a demanding precision task, with many components working together.”
Entities: Fehmarn Belt tunnel · Femern A/S · Heiligenhafen · Lasse Vester · Sund & Bælt
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Five tugboats were used to transport and position the element. (Femern A/S, Sund & Bælt)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The element is 217 metres long and weighs about 73,500 tonnes. (Femern A/S, Sund & Bælt)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Fehmarn Belt tunnel will be 18 kilometres long and consist of 89 elements. (Femern A/S, Sund & Bælt)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The project is one of Europe’s largest infrastructure projects and is delayed, with completion expected after 2030. (Femern A/S, Sund & Bælt)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Lasse Vester, vice‑contract director of Sund & Bælt, said each lowering is a demanding precision task. (Lasse Vester)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The third tunnel element of the Fehmarn Belt tunnel was lowered onto the seabed. (Femern A/S, Sund & Bælt)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The element is named Heiligenhafen. (Femern A/S, Sund & Bælt)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The tunnel will carry a four‑lane road and two railway tracks, with travel times of about ten minutes by car and seven minutes by train. (Femern A/S, Sund & Bælt)