A third connection over the Little Belt is postponed pending a preliminary study of the Als-Fyn connection. A strategic analysis of a potential third connection over the Little Belt has been temporarily put on hold. The decision comes from the consensus circle behind the Infrastructure Plan 2035, the Danish Road Directorate (Vejdirektoratet) stated in a press release.
Back in 2021, the consensus circle decided that an investigation of a new connection over the Little Belt was necessary. At present, road traffic is served by two fixed connections: the old Little Belt Bridge from 1935 and the new Little Belt Bridge from 1970. The Danish Road Directorate and the Danish Railway Agency (Banedanmark) were tasked with conducting a strategic analysis to uncover opportunities and challenges for a third connection.
The initial phase of the analysis, known as the screening phase, has now been completed. However, the consensus circle has decided to wait for further strategic analysis until the results of a preliminary study of a fixed connection between Als and Fyn are available.
In the screening phase, six different routes were examined, explained department head at the Danish Road Directorate, Andreas Egense. “We have calculated and compared the different solutions. It turns out that a road connection south of Middelfart is the solution that provides the greatest traffic benefits when considering saved travel time and operating costs,” he said in the press release.
The consensus circle therefore considers the route south of Middelfart “to a large extent be seen in conjunction with the outcome of the ongoing preliminary study of a fixed connection between Als and Fyn.”
Updated analyses of the two existing connections over the Little Belt also do not show an urgent need for a new connection. Calculations indicate that there will only be a prospect of “critical congestion” on the new Little Belt Bridge after the year 2040, according to the Danish Road Directorate. Furthermore, it is estimated that the old Little Belt Bridge can last at least another 50 years.
This decision reflects a desire to ensure that all factors and potential solutions are thoroughly examined before final decisions are made on the infrastructure in the area.