COWI to advise the Danish Road Directorate on the Third Limfjord Connection

The Third Limfjord connection will reduce travel time and relieve the Limfjord Tunnel, the Limfjord Bridge and large parts of Aalborg during peak hours. At the same time, it will create opportunities for the development of new business areas north of the Limfjord and attract skilled labour. With the client consultant selected, the project can now enter the next phase.

Per Seidelin, Project Manager at the Danish Road Directorate, says:
“We look forward to starting the next phase of the project and collaborating with COWI to design the fjord crossing and a valley bridge. Our focus will be on optimising the design and, in turn, reducing the carbon footprint.”

The project is part of the Danish Infrastructure Plan 2035 and includes a 20-kilometre-long motorway west of Aalborg via the island of Egholm. The motorway will run under the Limfjord in an immersed tunnel, over Nørredyb on a low bridge and over Østerådal on a valley bridge.

The project is part of the Danish Infrastructure Plan 2035 and includes a 20-kilometre-long motorway west of Aalborg via the island of Egholm. The motorway will run under the Limfjord in an immersed tunnel, over Nørredyb on a low bridge and over Østerådal on a valley bridge.

Sidsel Stabell Hoppe, Senior Vice President at COWI, says: 
“We are excited to contribute to boosting cohesion in the region and, not least, making everyday life easier for both commuters and businesses. It’s also paramount to make the construction of the Third Limfjord Connection as gentle as possible on the local nature, environment and residents. Relying on our strong roots in Northern Jutland, we will utilise our solid local knowledge in the process.”
She adds that COWI will provide future-proof adaptable solutions that take climate change into account and promote biodiversity – both on land and underwater.

The Third Limfjord Connection will cross the island of Egholm, which is home to protected nature, and particular care will be taken to address this aspect. Among other things, compensation nature will be established one to two years before construction begins, allowing endangered species to settle into new habitats. Additionally, wildlife corridors will be created, allowing wildlife to safely cross the motorway, and various mitigation measures are required to be implemented during construction to protect the flora and fauna.

Recent soil and groundwater studies by the Danish Road Directorate are also included in the planning basis.

Construction work is expected to commence in 2027 and is scheduled for completion in 2034.

Read the Danish Road Directorate’s press release here (in Danish).