Scandria Alliance hosted a webinar titled ”Fixed Links: A Strong ScanMed Corridor in the North” in collaboration with its member, the Kvarken Council. We presented the Nordic Connector project, which aims to establish a permanent link between Finland and Sweden across the Kvarken, alongside other large-scale planned, built, and ongoing fixed links in the ScanMed Corridor. At the same time, this provided valuable insights for developing connections in the Kvarken region.
Success Factors from the Fehmarn Belt Project
Jacob Vestergaard, Senior Adviser at Femern A/S, outlined the key success factors of the Fehmarn Belt project, such as using prefabricated tunnel elements and a financing model based on user fees, which facilitated the project’s implementation. He highlighted the project’s societal benefits: “It’s not just about concrete and steel; it’s about people.”
Vestergaard also summarized the project’s success with three Ps: Patience, Professionalism, and Perseverance – a model that could serve as an inspiration for the Nordic Connector project.
Strengthening Local Economies and Community Benefits
Vestergaard emphasized the importance of large infrastructure projects for local economies and communities. For instance, the Øresund link has expanded the job and housing markets between Copenhagen and Malmö, benefiting both regions.
– Such links broaden local job and housing markets and strengthen regional cooperation, Vestergaard explained.
Similar benefits would be possible in the Kvarken region, where the Nordic Connector would strengthen economic ties and ease mobility between regions.
Environmental Responsibility in Planning
The Fehmarn project has taken special care to mitigate environmental impacts and compensate for habitat loss by restoring double the amount of affected nature.
– We are building with respect for nature and creating new habitats to offset potential impacts, Vestergaard emphasized.
Such environmental considerations could be integrated into the Nordic Connector, helping preserve and enhance the Kvarken region’s sensitive ecosystem.
Technical and Local Expertise to Foster Innovation
Vestergaard highlighted how the Fehmarn Belt project promoted local employment and technical skills by employing innovative solutions like prefabricated tunnel elements. He stressed the importance of remembering the “why” behind the work – the broader societal goals of the project.
– Technical challenges are inevitable, but it’s important to remember why.We aren’t just working with concrete and steel; we are working for people who need to understand why we are doing this, Vestergaard explained.
This mindset is also embedded in the Nordic Connector project, whose “why” is rooted in long-term economic, social, and energy accessibility benefits.
Lessons from the Øresund Project and Other Major Projects
Klaus-Uwe Sondermann, Managing Director of KombiConsult GmbH, shared insights from major fixed link projects, including the Øresund connection. He emphasized how permanent links, such as the Øresund Bridge-Tunnel between Denmark and Sweden, have strengthened regional cooperation and mobility within Europe. The Øresund connection has played a key role in integrating the labor and housing markets between Copenhagen and Skåne, facilitating workforce mobility and fostering commercial and cultural ties. Inspired by this success, new projects are under development, including the Øresund Metro, which would further reduce travel time.
Sondermann also presented other similar European projects, such as the HH Tunnel between Helsingør and Helsingborg, the fixed link across the Strait of Messina between Sicily and mainland Italy, and the Helsinki–Tallinn Tunnel, which would connect the capitals of Finland and Estonia. These projects aim to improve accessibility across regions. Sondermann highlighted that fixed links can bring significant social and economic benefits but require careful planning and sustainable financing to be realized.
– EU funding and support from local communities are often crucial for project progress. Monitoring environmental impacts and transparent communication are also essential for local residents to engage with and understand the benefits of these projects.
Summary of Lessons from Major Projects:
- Clear communication on project importance
Communicating the project’s necessity and local benefits, such as supporting green transport goals, integrating labor markets, and enhancing cultural and commercial connections, is crucial (Sondermann and Vestergaard). - Transparent environmental impact monitoring
Using an open database to monitor environmental impacts builds trust and demonstrates that environmental considerations are addressed throughout the process (Vestergaard). - Involving and informing the local community
Visiting days aimed at locals, newsletters, and direct communication with neighbors can promote acceptance of the project (Vestergaard). - Flexible structural solutions
The Øresund Bridge-Tunnel demonstrates how various structural solutions, such as bridges and tunnels, can adapt to the environment and local needs, including proximity to shipping lanes and airports (Sondermann). - Retention and transfer of expertise
Retaining the production facility in the Fehmarn project enables cost efficiency and expertise for future projects, and preserving knowledge within a network is also essential (Vestergaard, Sondermann). - Collaboration with other projects
Sharing experiences with other major projects, such as the Brenner Base Tunnel, can reduce technical and administrative challenges and leverage best practices (Sondermann). - Sustainable financing model and user-based funding
The user-based financing model applied in the Fehmarn Tunnel, where users pay for use, can enable large infrastructure projects without significantly impacting the state budget (Vestergaard). - Visionary thinking combined with realistic goals
Implementing large infrastructure projects requires both visionary thinking and setting realistic goals to justify long-term benefits to stakeholders (Sondermann).
The event page can be found HERE.
Presentation materials from the speakers are available HERE.
About the Fehmarn Belt project:
The Fehmarn Belt project is constructing an 18-kilometer fixed link between Germany and Denmark, which will halve travel time between Copenhagen and Hamburg. The budget is 7.1 billion euros, with completion estimated for 2029.
Further information is available on the following website: https://femern.com