Today, the Belt itself forms a barrier for people as the water can only be crossed by ferry. On land, railways and roads leading to the ferry terminals form a barrier for people wanting to cross. A new link will make access between the two countries easier. The barriers on Fehmarn and Lolland will be moved, and the old roads and railways will take less traffic.

Fehmernbelt as a barrier
The belt can currently be crossed by ferries which run every half hour, but a fixed link will mean the end of dependence on transit times. Initial analyses indicate that a bridge or tunnel will bring an increase of approximately 40% in traffic compared to today.

On the Fehmarnbelt itself, a bridge would form a slight barrier to east-west shipping lanes, while a tunnel would have no barrier impact on people unless the tunnel ramps were built out into the water.

Roads and railways as barriers
On Fehmarn, the main road to Puttgarden has heavy traffic in the summer months before a ferry departure and after an arrival. This can limit access for locals wishing to go to or from the harbour town. It can also cause delays for people wanting to cross by car or bicycle or on foot. The railway also has a slight barrier impact because it can only be crossed at level crossings on the road or footpath. On Lolland, there is a similar barrier effect from the motorway and railway.

When a fixed link is established, new support roads and railways will be built. This means that the existing

Roads and railways already cross the landscape on Fehmarn and Lolland. This is a view over Fehmarn from the top of the Fehmarnsund Bridge, which links Fehmarn with the German mainland. (photo: H. Dietrich Habbe)

ones will be relieved of much of their traffic. The new roads and railways will form new barriers in the landscape, and there may be a need to permanently close or reroute smaller roads.

Barriers during construction
During the actual construction work, there will be increased traffic of materials etc. to the ramp areas. This may increase the existing barrier impact. The new ramp areas will be under construction, and there may be a need to temporarily close or reroute smaller roads.