Cost of maintaining Fehmarnsund Bridge exceeds initial estimates
The Fehmarn Sound Bridge, a crucial link between the German mainland and Fehmarn island, has been at the centre of a financial debate between the district of Ostholstein and the German Unity Road Planning and Construction GmbH (DEGES).
Historically, the district of Ostholstein has expressed concerns about the financial implications of maintaining such infrastructural projects. However, until recently, the specific costs associated with the Fehmarn Sound Bridge's maintenance had not been disclosed.
In a move to seek clarity, the district administrator of Ostholstein, Timo Gaarz, initiated a new estimate for the annual maintenance costs of the Fehmarn Sound Bridge in spring 2025. In response, DEGES provided an estimate of approximately 2.6 million euros per year, a significant increase from the previous estimate of 900,000 euros.
This new figure, more than tripling the previous estimate, has raised concerns within the district council, which has yet to make a decision on the financial responsibility for the bridge's maintenance.
Gaarz, who considers the Fehmarn Sound Bridge to be part of the Trans-European Transport Network, has expressed his belief that the previous estimate was too low. He is pleased with DEGES' prompt response to the request for a concrete cost estimate and believes that the current estimate may be the final amount.
The district of Ostholstein was not involved in the negotiations for the construction of the Fixed Fehmarn Belt Crossing, which is a state treaty between Germany and Denmark. The Fehmarn Sound Bridge serves as an alternative route after the completion of the new Fehmarn Sound Crossing.
The district administrator of Ostholstein, Timo Gaarz, has requested and will examine the calculation basis from DEGES for the new estimate of the annual maintenance costs of the Fehmarn Sound Bridge. The district continues to express concerns about the financial implications of maintaining the bridge and has emphasised that it is not financially or technically equipped to take over the road maintenance of the Fehmarn Sound Bridge.
The district's current financial predicament and the district budget's unsuitability for tasks like maintaining the Fehmarn Sound Bridge further complicate the issue. The district council is expected to discuss the matter in the upcoming meetings to determine the next steps.
- The district administrator of Ostholstein, Timo Gaarz, is concerned about the public-transit sector, as the new estimate for the annual maintenance costs of the Fehmarn Sound Bridge, a crucial link in the transportation industry, has more than tripled, leading to discussions about financial responsibility.
- Financially, the district of Ostholstein, not being involved in the negotiations for the construction of the Fixed Fehmarn Belt Crossing, is in a predicament, considering the growth in costs associated with the Fehmarn Sound Bridge's maintenance, particularly in the sectors of finance and transportation, which could impact the district's budget and overall capability to maintain the infrastructure.
