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Øresund Bridge (Øresund Fixed Link)

Between Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmö, Sweden [INTERNATIONAL] · 1995–2000 · DKK 14.8 billion (1990 prices), approximately £1.5 billion (1990 prices, using 1 DKK = 0.10 GBP)

The judgement call

Account-gated at launch

The innovative combination of bridge and tunnel was chosen to allow for shipping traffic and avoid interference with Copenhagen Airport. - Completed 5 months ahead of schedule and within budget, demonstrating effective risk management and project execution. - The project has significantly fostered economic and social integration between Denmark and Sweden.

Key engineering challenges

Designing a combined road and rail link across a busy strait. - Constructing a bridge section and an immersed tunnel section to accommodate shipping and air traffic. - Addressing complex seabed conditions for the tunnel. - Minimizing environmental impact on the sensitive Øresund ecosystem. - Ensuring the quality and durability of concrete structures in a marine environment.

Project facts

Client / owner
Øresundsbro Konsortiet (jointly owned by state-owned enterprises of Denmark and Sweden)
Lead contractor
Øresund Fixed Link Contractors (consortium including Skanska, Hochtief, Højgaard & Schultz, Monberg & Thorsen)
Lead designers
Arup (bridge design), COWI (tunnel design)
Project type
new build
Scale
15.9 km total length (fixed link); 7.8 km bridge section; 4 km tunnel section; combined rail and road bridge.
Disciplines
Civil; Structural; Geotechnical; Marine; Environmental; Rail
Standards & frameworks
European design standards

Sources: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%98resund_Bridge - GI Hub: https://www.gihub.org/connectivity-across-borders/case-studies/the-%C3%B8resund-fixed-link/ - Skanska: https://group.skanska.com/projects/57321/Oresund-Bridge - Øresundsbro Konsortiet: https://sundogbaelt.dk/en/about-us/finance-economics/construction-costs/construction-costs-for-the-oresund-bridge-and-oresund-landwors/ - PMI: https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/overcoming-obstacles-strategic-risk-management-3528