The construction of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel has today acquired a new, 24m high viewing platform from which the 18 km immersed tunnel to Germany can be viewed.

Pilen was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by three apprentices to the tunnel contractor, Femern Link Contractors (FLC), in front of more than 1,000 guests. Also present at the ceremony were Mayor Holger Schou Rasmussen, Lolland Municipality; Union President Claus Jensen, Dansk Metal, and CEO Mikkel Hemmingsen, Sund & Bælt.

Entry to Pilen is free of charge. It is expected to attract up to 100,000 visitors per year.

Pilen is a 217-metre-long ramp close to the site where the tunnel begins, and where trains and car traffic will drive down into the tunnel to Puttgarden. The ramp tapers into a point (i.e. like the head of an arrow) 24 metres above the surrounding landscape with access for everyone – all the way to the top.

Fascinating and inspiring
“Pilen offers views of the construction site, the construction of the tunnel itself and the surrounding landscape and will provide visitors from Denmark and abroad with a fascinating and inspiring insight into the historic construction", said Mikkel Hemmingsen, Sund & Bælt.

"Not only does Pilen offer a superb overview, it also provides a great insight into the many different types of training that a world-class construction project requires to achieve its goal. A visit here will therefore fascinate and inspire children and young people to opt for professional training within the construction sector. You could say that Pilen not only points towards Europe, but also towards the future,” said Mikkel Hemmingsen.

Claus Jensen, President of the Dansk Metal union, echoed a similar sentiment about the importance of apprentices to large construction projects.

"In every sense, I believe that the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link has become a beacon for professional pride, for apprentice responsibility and for our vocational training here in Denmark. We need to plant a seed that can grow in young people before they choose their educational path,” said Claus Jensen on the opening of Pilen.

A symbol of vision and ambition
The opening speech itself was given by Mads Haugbølle Behrendsen, Chairman of the Danish Vocational and Technical School Students Union, which represents over 100,000 students and apprentices in practical youth training programmes. He highlighted the significance of apprentices from the tunnel construction being involved in the opening ceremony.

"Many apprenticeships fail to live up to the responsibility they have for the young people who enter their profession. But here, in southern Lolland, we can see that it can be done. Pilen points down towards the construction site – towards the many apprentices in whom a great deal of effort has been invested. Pilen is more than just a viewing point. It’s a symbol of vision and ambition,” said Mads Haugbølle Behrendsen.

About the Fehmarnbelt tunnel
The Fehmarnbelt tunnel is an 18 km long immersed tunnel for cars and trains between Rødbyhavn on Lolland and the German island of Fehmarn.

The tunnel is designed as a two-lane motorway in each direction with two electrified railway tracks for high-speed trains. It will take 10 minutes to drive from Denmark to Germany and seven minutes by train.

Sund & Bælt, the client for the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link, requires the contractor consortia to train a minimum of 500 apprentice FTEs (full-time equivalents) during the construction period.