Overview
The Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link is one of the largest standalone construction projects currently underway in Denmark. In the same way as the Great Belt Fixed Link and the Øresund Bridge significantly reduced travelling time and brought two regions and countries closer together, a Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link would bring Denmark and Scandinavia closer to Germany and the rest of Europe.
The objective of the study is to assess the utility of the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link by the cost - benefit analysis.
Funding
Results
Including all benefits and costs in all affected countries, the fixed link across the Fehmarn Belt generates an economic return of 5.0 per cent. This equates to an aggregate net benefit over 50 years with a present value of 26 billion DKK. For all countries aggregate net benefits for users comes in at 39 billion DKK. Users will pay the lion's share of project costs; however, in net terms the state will incur a cost of 7 billion DKK. Furthermore, the link will generate benefits in the form of an improved environment and an augmented labour supply, along with a cost in the guise of reduced revenues from the ferries. Computing the benefits and costs for Denmark alone results in an economic return of 5.4 per cent, and an aggregate net benefit over 50 years of 28 billion DKK.