The Storstrøm Bridge between Falster and Sjælland reached a significant milestone as the last section of the bridge was successfully installed on Sunday, marking the construction's full connection from coast to coast. This ambitious infrastructure project is set to become Denmark's third-largest bridge, featuring both railway and dual-lane road accommodations. Notably, the bridge is projected to open for traffic by 2025, with train operations expected to commence by 2027.
Project manager Niels Gottlieb from the Vejdirektoratet expressed the importance of this achievement, stating, "You can’t really picture a bigger milestone than the bridge now being assembled from coast to coast." His sentiments were echoed by Christian Lemvigh, spokesperson for SBJV (Storstrøm Bridge Joint Venture), who emphasized the urgency of completing the installation prior to severe weather forecasts predicting storms around the New Year. "We are moving forward with construction to avoid the worst storm and waves," he informed TV2 ØST.
On Saturday afternoon, the heavy 4,000-ton bridge section was transported by barge from the harbour on Masnedø. The entire process took about one and a half hours to reach the bridge site, followed by careful lifting and installation, which took approximately four hours. This coordinated effort reflects the dedication of the team to stay on schedule and mitigate adverse weather conditions.
Construction of the Storstrøm Bridge was initiated as part of the traffic agreement approved by the Danish Parliament on March 21, 2013. The official groundbreaking was celebrated on September 27, 2018. With total costs projected at 4.3 billion DKK (approximately $650 million) and EU funding up to 425 million DKK, the infrastructure is also marked by its innovative design, including two railway tracks, a nine-meter-wide roadway, and dedicated paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
Once completed, the Storstrøm Bridge will span 3,832 meters, thereby extending its rank as the third longest bridge in Denmark—next to the East and West Bridges on the Great Belt, which measure approximately 6.8 and 6.6 kilometers, respectively. Although the previous Storstrøm Bridge, built-in 1937, held the title of Europe’s longest bridge at 3.2 kilometers for 28 years, it will soon be torn down after the new bridge is operational.
Despite earlier expectations for the new bridge to be ready for vehicle traffic by 2022, delays and challenges have pushed the timeline back, with many now anticipating completion by 2025 for cars and by 2027 for trains. Meanwhile, the project continues to be closely followed by local media under the segment "We are building the connection," which gives audiences insights about the progress and significance of the new infrastructure for local residents and the broader Danish transport network.
The installation of the final section of the Storstrøm Bridge is not only about connecting land but also about enhancing economic and social ties between communities. It signifies years of investment and planning aimed at supporting transit routes and improving access between major regions.
With the the last bridge segment successfully installed, the completion of the Storstrøm Bridge heralds new opportunities for transportation and logistics, showcasing modern engineering's role in connecting people and places across Denmark.