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20 years since decision taken on building Öresund Bridge

6/17/2014 1:45 PM CET
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In June 1994, the governments of Sweden and Denmark finally decided to bridge the gap between the countries by building the Öresund Bridge. In 2000, the bridge was completed. Today, it is living proof that well-functioning transport infrastructure is a prerequisite for development, with 90,000 commuters a day.

It is now 20 years since the governments of Sweden and Denmark finally decided to bridge gap between the countries. Soon the design/build contract was awarded to a Skanska-led international team.

And in 2000 the majestic bridge was ready – on time and on budget – to serve an increasing number of commuters. About 90,000 people cross the sound every day – to work, study or live in the neighboring country.

Range of new opportunities in the Öresund region

The bridge created a whole range of new opportunities in the Öresund region. It is simply living proof that well-functioning transport infrastructure is a prerequisite for development. People, municipalities and businesses have all benefited from the shorter travel times and easy access services and facilities.

Marine and land-living wildlife flourishing

And talking about living proof – there were fears about the environment, wildlife and water quality being negatively affected by the bridge. A Skåne County survey shows that both marine and land-living wildlife is flourishing; mussels thrive on the concrete foundations, plants and birds as well as the rare speckle-green frog on the manmade island of Pepparholmen. And salt-water and oxygenated water flow freely through the sound, benefitting the cod population of the Baltic.

More about Öresund Bridge

Learn more about the Öresund Bridge project in our Projects section.