By Lynda Myer
In order to shipping of the first tunnel element into the Fehmarnbelt, the tunnel factory for the construction of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel is preparing the conditions, whereas currently water is being filled into the three large basins in front of the tunnel factory at Rødbyhavn in Denmark.
On Thursday, September 21st, a remarkable landmark was done in the Fehmarnbelt tunnel project and in the early hours of the day, Femern Link Contractors (FLC), which is the construction consortium, initiated the process of filling water into the three expansive basins located at the tunnel factory in Rødbyhavn.
As the largest construction site in Northern Europe, this project involves a complex series of steps, and for transporting the tunnel elements out in the following year the filling of these basins is a crucial prerequisite.
According to Anders Wede, the Construction Manager at Femern A/S: “Our contractors have been diligently working on these basins for over two years. Naturally, we’ve all been eager to commence the filling process. It’s always exhilarating when embarking on a groundbreaking endeavor, and these basins hold a pivotal role in this project. Their sheer size alone makes this a remarkable day at the construction site.”
Hampering any harm to the partitions between the basins, is possible by gradual and carefully controlled water filling process. Consequently, the estimated time period for completely filling them is almost a week. These pools boast dimensions unparalleled in Northern Europe, with each basin reaching a depth of nearly 11 meters and collectively holding approximately 1.6 million cubic meters of water. To put this in perspective, that’s equivalent to the volume of 640 Olympic swimming pools.
While six production lines are involved by the tunnel factory, the casting of the initial tunnel element, that is part of a total of 89, has already started.
Facilitating the transportation of the elements, these basins serve as a vital link between the factory and the work harbor. The presence of substantial gates ensures the dry dock and basins can be filled or emptied as required, allowing the elements to float from the factory to the work harbor and beyond into the Fehmarnbelt.
“With the basins now filled, the tunnel factory is nearing completion. Progress on the two substantial gates that will regulate water levels in the basins is well underway, and within the factory, we’ve initiated the casting of the tunnel elements. The next significant milestone is anticipated next year when we transport the first finished element,” stated Anders Wede.
The scheduled date for submerge of the first tunnel element in the Fehmarnbelt is 2024.
