Territorial Review Copenhagen - Region Hovedstaden

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bridge construction but for studies to estimate the bridge‘s potential benefits.
Further co-operation between both countries is desirable.
Unlike the Øresund Bridge, this new bridge will not provide a better
connection between urban regions like Copenhagen and Malmö, but will
interlink rural areas in Denmark and Germany. Its basic function will
therefore be that of a transport lane, providing a better connection between
Germany, Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia. The more rural areas of
Jutland will be the primary beneficiaries of a successful regional integration,
as well as the regions most directly concerned: Ostholstein (Germany) and
Storstrøm (Denmark). In the long run, there are wider economic effects of
the Fehmarn Belt Link (see Box 2.7). Once the connection between
Fehmarn Link and Copenhagen is accomplished, it will have a strong impact
on regional economic structure of Denmark, through the connection with
European high-speed network (TGV). Through-traffic is highly likely to
increase and cause more pressure in the city centre of Copenhagen. To
assure smooth transportation of goods and people, establishment of Ring 5,
connecting Sjaelland and Helsingør and the physical link between Helsingør
and Helsingborg, will be necessary in the long run. Connection to the
northern Europe through Hamburg, Hannover and Bremen and development
of the Nordic triangle among Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo would be
facilitated, to the advantage of Copenhagen. Two important key points in the
logistic sector, Copenhagen Airport and Port of Copenhagen/Malmö, still
have abundant space to accommodate new companies that require vast land.
Box 2.7. Estimated effects of the Fehmarn Belt Link
One of the first studies, undertaken in 1999, for assessing the economic
impact of a fixed Fehmarn Belt link considered three scenarios: (1) a fixed link
with a four-lane highway and two railway tracks, (2) a fixed link with a two- or
three-lane highway and a single-track railway line, and (3) a fixed two-track
railway link with shuttle trains for cars and lorries. 1 According to the study, net
employment effects of the project (without multiplier effects) are approximately
1.280 (scenario 1), 1.310 (scenario 2) and 1.280 (scenario 3). Given the regional
distribution of these increases in jobs, Copenhagen stands to gain the most
(between 300 and 360 jobs), together with Hamburg (between 250 and 350).
A study undertaken in 2004 by Copenhagen Economics and Prognos 2
indicated that a new bridge will be faster and more flexible than using ferries, so
transportation frequency will rise and provide incentives for commuting, more
cross-border activities and perhaps migration. For companies, the bridge will
provide better access to the neighboring market, and lower transportation costs
will make business more profitable, increase production and benefit both sides
of the bridge. According to a cost-benefit analysis, the construction and