Oresund, the Bridge that Turns Into a Tunnel & Connects Denmark & Sweden

The Oresund Tunnel is an impressive engineering project that connects Denmark and Sweden through the Oresund Strait. It consists of an 8-kilometer road and railway bridge that connects the Danish coast to the artificial island of Peberholm. From there, it transitions into a 4-kilometer underwater tunnel that connects the same island to the Swedish coast. The bridge is located in the city of Copenhagen, and the tunnel reaches the city of Malmö.

Location	Copenhagen (Denmark) and Malmö (Sweden)
Carries	Four lanes
How long is Oresund Bridge	25,738 ft (7,845 mt)
Construction start & end	1995 - 1999
Construction cost	2.8 billion $
Daily traffic	18,434 road vehicles
Toll	From 1 January 2024: 68 $

Oresund connects the road and railway networks of the Scandinavian Peninsula with those of Central and Western Europe. The Oresund Bridge was designed by the Danish engineering company COWI. The justification for the additional expense and complexity of excavating a tunnel instead of raising that section of the bridge was to avoid interfering with air traffic from the nearby Copenhagen Airport, provide a clear channel for ships in good or bad weather, and prevent ice floes from blocking the strait.

The Construction

The project of the Oresund Tunnel began in 1995 and was completed in August 1999. It was a collaboration between Denmark and Sweden, and the construction involved the creation of an artificial island called Peberholm, which serves as a transition point between the tunnel and the bridge. The project had a total cost of approximately 4 billion euros. It was financed through tolls and government loans. The Oresund Tunnel was officially inaugurated on July 1, 2000. Since then, it has been a vital link between Denmark and Sweden.

The Oresund Bridge added value to the economies of both countries. According to the Oresund Bridge Project Committee, the bridge generated a national economic gain for both states worth 7 billion euros, thanks to the increase in daily commuting and the reduction of travel expenses.

How much does it cost to cross the bridge from Denmark to Sweden?

Does the Oresund Bridge have tolls? Yes, the tunnel has a toll for vehicles crossing it.
How much does it cost to cross the bridge from Denmark to Sweden? The fee varies depending on the type of vehicle and the time of day, and we can inform you that it is extremely expensive.

	Danish Krone DKK	Euro €	US $
Passenger car	455 DKK	59 €	68 $
Motorhome (6-10m)	910 DKK	118 €	134 $
Minibus (6-10m)	910 DKK	118 €	134 $
Motorcycle	230 DKK	29 €	34 $
Van (6-9m)	910 DKK	118 €	134 $

Curiosities of the Oresund bridge and tunnel

The Oresund Tunnel is the longest submerged tunnel in the world for trains and cars.
The railway section of the bridge has a double track and a standard track gauge of 1,435 mm. It has the capacity for speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, but it is slower in Denmark due to the tunnel.
The project was an architectural and environmental challenge, as it had to take into account the effects on marine life and the ecosystem of the Oresund Strait. In fact, the bridge and tunnel have become an artificial reef for marine organisms.
The flora and fauna on the island have been allowed to develop freely and undisturbed, making it a paradise for biologists. Over 500 different plant species have been identified, and Peberholm Island serves as a popular breeding ground for birds.
The Danish television series “The Bridge” used the Oresund Tunnel as its main setting, highlighting its importance and architectural beauty.
Sweden introduced temporary border controls in 2015 due to the European migrant crisis. These border controls towards Denmark followed the provisions of the Schengen acquis on border controls. This measure broke 60 years of free border circulation between the countries.
The bridge served as inspiration for the song “Walk Me to the Bridge” by Manic Street Preachers from their album “Futurology.”
The Oresund Bridge is the most important transportation link between Denmark and Sweden. Around 70,000 people cross the bridge daily. 55% do so by car, and 45% by train.