Minister of Transport Benny Engelbrecht and Minister of Transport in Schleswig-Holstein, Dr. Bernd Buchholz, taking the first sod on the German side. Photo: Ministry of Transport
On 1 January 2021, the first sod for the Fehmarnbelt connection was taken on the Danish side - although in a virtual format, due to the then current COVID-19 restrictions.
11 months later - November 29, 2021 - the spades were ready and in full operation on Fehmarn, taking the first sod on the German side.
Working towards a common German-Danish goal
“The Fehmarnbelt connection is an incredibly important construction project for both Denmark and Germany, indeed for the whole of Europe. This is a milestone in the long history of the Fehmarnbelt connection, and I am glad that we have put the spade in the ground in Puttgarden today, so that we are now working on both sides towards our common goal,” said Minister of Transport, Benny Engelbrecht, reports the Ministry of Transport in connection with the event.
Exciting future perspective
Dr. Bernd Buchholz, Minister of Economy, Transport, Employment, Technology and Tourism in Schleswig-Holstein, expressed this future perspective in connection with the taking of the first sod:
“The new high-speed connection will not only bring Copenhagen closer to Hamburg, but also Lübeck closer to Fehmarn. In future, it will only take 49 minutes to get from Burg to work or school in Hansestadt.”
“With the significant time reduction in both international and regional transport, sales markets will grow significantly. Calculation models have shown that employment is expected to grow in the Ostholstein region, and that 600 to 1,110 jobs can be created due to the improved traffic infrastructure,” said Dr. Bernd Buchholz.