First special element pushed

September 30, 2024
First special element pushed

The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel by FLC for The Fehmarnbelt Project is built of 79 standard tunnel elements and 10 special elements.

The first of the 10 special elements is fully cast and ready to be pushed from the casting area to the upper basin of the Work Harbour.

But moving a concrete colossus of 24,000 tons is no small feat. Two large pushers with two pistons each gently shoved the element towards the destination at a speed of 13 meters per hour. After 12 hours, the journey is completed and the proud team of FLC employees could see many years of effort bear fruit. The special element now rests in the upper basin. Here, it will be readied to be picked up by the Immersion Pontoon and set sail for the tunnel trench.

Facts:

  • The special elements weigh 24,000 tons (a standard element weighs 73,000 tons).
  • All the technical equipment of the tunnel will be placed in the special elements (water, ventilation, electricity etc.)
  • The special elements are shorter than the standard elements, but they are 5 meters wider to make room for a lay-by with elevators in one of the motorway tubes and 4 meters higher due to the basement with room for the equipment.
  • There will be a special element for every 2,5 kilometers in the tunnel