Great Belt in Denmark - 18 km bridge over the Great Belt

Great Belt is one of the most important and impressive engineering achievements in Denmark. Connecting the country's main islands, Zealand and Funen, the complex consists of two bridges and a double railway tunnel. This incredible technical endeavor plays a key role in the everyday lives of Danes, both in terms of transport and economy. Let's take a closer look at this impressive structure, its history, curiosities and facts.

History of the creation of the Great Belt

It all started on June 12, 1986, when the Danish Parliament approved the plan to build a connection across the Great Belt. It was an ambitious undertaking that aimed to improve communication between Denmark's two most important islands. After twelve years of intensive construction work, on June 14, 1998, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark inaugurated the bridge, officially opening it to traffic.

Impressive structure

The Great Belt Complex consists of two main bridges and a double railway tunnel. Eastern Bridge has 4 car tracks with a length of 1,624 meters. The Western Bridge connects the islands of Sprogø and Funen, and is 6,611 meters long. In addition, the double railway tunnel is 8,067 meters long. In total, 31 connection tunnels are placed every 250 meters and also serve as emergency exits.

The Eastern Great Belt Bridge is particularly impressive due to its pylons, measuring 254 meters, making them the highest points in Denmark. For comparison, they are 26 meters higher than the pylons of the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, which held the record for the highest pylons in the world for over 50 years.

Dimensions and strength

The Great Belt Bridge lies 75 meters above sea level, and each of its sections weighs an impressive 1,000 tons. On a length of 2.7 km there are a total of 57 such sections between the two "anchors". The main cable supporting the bridge is 85 cm in diameter and consists of 18,648 strands, each 5 mm in diameter. These incredible numbers show the scale and precision with which this bridge was built.

Importance for transport

The opening of the Great Belt railway tunnel on June 1, 1997 revolutionized transport in Denmark. As a result, the train journey time across the Great Belt has been shortened by as much as 90 minutes. An average of 20,600 cars cross the bridge every day, which shows how important this bridge is to everyday traffic. Additionally, the number of seats in trains increased to 40,000, which significantly increased the comfort of travelers.

Safety first

Transport across the Great Belt is extremely safe. The Minister of Transport's report on bridge safety contains 47 points covering various aspects of safety. There are special danger warning systems in the tunnels, and emergency exits are located every 250 meters. Additionally, only one train carrying flammable materials can be in the tunnels at a time. Automatic brakes are activated when the train exceeds the speed limit or passes a stop sign.

Interesting facts

The Great Belt is not only an impressive structure, but also a place full of interesting facts. It is the second longest suspension bridge in the world, second only to the Japanese Akashi Kaikyo. This bridge has become a symbol of Danish engineering and strength, and its majestic structure attracts tourists from all over the world.

Thanks to their impressive height, the pylons of the Eastern Bridge are visible from a long distance, and the view from their top is breathtaking. This bridge is also an example of an ecological approach to construction, with many initiatives aimed at minimizing the impact on the environment.

Summary

The Great Belt is undoubtedly one of the most important engineering achievements in Denmark. Its impressive structure, importance for transportation and unusual curiosities make it not only an important piece of infrastructure, but also a symbol of human ingenuity and perseverance. Whether you are an engineer, a bridge enthusiast, or just a curious tourist, the Great Belt is sure to impress you.

This impressive structure not only connects two islands, but also connects people, making everyday life easier for thousands of Danes. The Great Belt is a true engineering masterpiece that will forever remain in history as one of the most important achievements of human imagination and technology.