Denmark and Germany will be linked by underwater tunnel

The mega project is EU-funded

The four-and-a-half-hour drive from Hamburg, Germany to Copenhagen, Denmark will become a straight shot, cutting the travel time to roughly three hours. Dredging a tunnel underneath the body of water will have a lower environmental impact and fewer weather-related issues than a bridge. Denmark’s island nature makes it a struggle for the small country to stay connected, particularly to Germany, with nearly 20% of Denmark’s exports heading to its southern neighbor. But only 1.5% of the Germany’s exports head to north.

Given the disparity, it’s no surprise that Germany is expecting Denmark to foot the bill – to the tune of an estimated €5.1 billion. Though drivers eager to race through the 18-kilometer underwater Autobahn will have a handful of years to wait. The roadway won’t be open until 2020. But when the link is complete, travelers will be able to pass between the two countries by car or by train, as a high-speed rail tunnel is also part of the plan.

Source: Time