For over two decades, a monumental feat of engineering has connected two nations, becoming one of Europe's most vital transport corridors. The Øresund Bridge, a combined railway and motorway link spanning the strait between Sweden and Denmark, stands as a testament to international cooperation and ambitious infrastructure.
A Colossal Engineering and Financial Undertaking
Construction on this immense project began in 1995, with the bridge officially opening to traffic in July 2000. The total build cost was a staggering £3.4 billion, an investment that is projected to be fully recouped by 2037. The bridge is a joint venture between the Swedish firm Svedab and the Danish company A/S Øresundsforbindelsen.
The structure itself is an 8-kilometre-long bridge that begins near the Swedish city of Malmo. It extends to the artificial Danish island of Peberholm, which sits in the middle of the Øresund strait. Peberholm serves as a crucial junction, fitted with a restricted motorway exit and a helicopter pad for emergencies.
The Daily Reality of a Major Transport Link
From Peberholm, a tunnel completes the remaining journey to the island of Amager, home to Copenhagen Airport, bringing the total travel distance across the link to approximately 16 km. This seamless connection is used extensively, with an average daily footfall of 70,000 people.
However, crossing this architectural marvel comes at a significant price. Toll fees are tiered based on vehicle type:
- Motorcyclists are charged £25.68.
- Passenger cars pay £50.77.
- Vans, motorhomes, or cars with a trailer face a fee of £178.55.
Recognition and Scale in a European Context
The bridge's engineering excellence was formally recognised just two years after its opening when it received the prestigious IABSE Outstanding Structure Award. In terms of scale, the Øresund Bridge holds the title of the second-longest bridge in Europe.
It is only outdone by the 18.1km Kerch Bridge, which links the Taman Peninsula of Krasnodar Krai in Russia with the Kerch Peninsula of Crimea. Despite this, the Øresund Bridge remains a unique and critical piece of transnational infrastructure, binding the Scandinavian nations of Sweden and Denmark together for the 24 years since its inauguration.
