Third element for the Fehmarnbelt tunnel successfully immersed.

The third tunnel element for the Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link has been successfully immersed and installed in the tunnel trench off the coast of Lolland, Denmark.

The 73,500-tonne, 217-metre-long reinforced concrete element was towed from the tunnel element factory at Rødbyhavn to the tunnel alignment, where it was accurately positioned and connected to the two previously installed elements. Following immersion, the element is being secured with stones and gravel to ensure its permanent position within the tunnel trench.

The Fehmarnbelt tunnel will comprise 89 prefabricated concrete elements, manufactured at the purpose-built facility in Rødbyhavn. With three elements now in place, installation activities continue as preparations are underway for the immersion of the next tunnel element.

ITA Tunnelling Awards 2026 – Finalists announced

The International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) has announced the finalists for the ITA Tunnelling Awards 2026, recognising outstanding achievements in underground infrastructure, engineering excellence, innovation and emerging talent from around the world.

This year’s shortlist features 29 projects, innovations and professionals across eight award categories, representing 17 countries and regions. From major transport and water infrastructure projects to breakthrough technologies and inspiring young professionals, the finalists highlight the expertise, collaboration and technical excellence driving the global tunnelling and underground construction industry.

The winners of the ITA Tunnelling Awards 2026 will be announced during the Awards Ceremony in Lisbon on 4 November 2026.

M5 Metro Line enters a new phase towards construction

The development of Copenhagen’s future M5 Metro Line has reached an important milestone, as Metroselskabet has launched the tenders for the first construction phase of the new metro connection in June 2026.

The first phase includes the construction of two bored tunnels, six underground stations, a control and maintenance centre, as well as the associated transport systems. The tenders mark the transition from years of planning and design work towards the delivery of one of Copenhagen’s largest infrastructure projects.

The M5 Metro Line will create new connections across the city, linking existing urban areas with future development areas, including Kløverparken, Refshaleøen and Lynetteholm. The new line is expected to open in 2036 and will further strengthen Copenhagen’s metro network.

Svanemøllen Cloudburst Tunnel

Construction has commenced on the Svanemøllen Cloudburst Tunnel, a 10 km-long deep underground stormwater conveyance system developed by HOFOR, Novafos, and Frederiksberg Forsyning to strengthen Copenhagen’s resilience to extreme rainfall. The scheme comprises 13 shafts, 16 construction sites, and tunnel sections with internal diameters ranging from 1.6 to 4.9 m.

The project is currently in the execution phase for enabling works, while the main tunnelling contract is in the EU procurement phase, with contract award expected in 2027. Upon completion, the system will function as a high-capacity storage and transfer tunnel, integrated into the capital’s urban drainage network for controlled discharge during extreme rainfall events.

Valby Cloudburst Tunnel reaches first excavation milestone

The Valby Cloudburst Tunnel has reached its first major excavation milestone, with the project’s TBM, Randi, completing the first approximately 300 m of the 2.4 km-long tunnel beneath Copenhagen.

The tunnel is being excavated at depths of 15–20 m and has an internal diameter of 3.4 m. Once completed, it will provide approximately 30,000 m³ of stormwater storage capacity, forming a key component of Copenhagen’s climate adaptation infrastructure by reducing flood risk during extreme rainfall events.

The project is being developed by HOFOR and Frederiksberg Forsyning, with the main works carried out by the joint venture of MT Højgaard Danmark and Eiffage Infra-Spezialtiefbau.

Strong international response for WTC2027

The ITA World Tunnel Congress 2027 in Antwerp has received an outstanding international response, with approximately 1,300 abstracts submitted from 57 countries for the world’s leading event dedicated to tunnelling and underground space.

Following the closure of the call for abstracts, the scientific committee has completed its review process, and selected authors have now been invited to prepare full papers for presentation at the congress.

Hosted by ABTUS-BVOTS, the Belgian Tunnelling Association, WTC2027 will take place in Antwerp, Belgium, from 23 to 29 April 2027 under the theme “Underground Creativity to Meet Societal Needs.” The congress will showcase the latest developments, innovations and research shaping the future of the tunnelling and underground space industry.

3rd Limfjord Connection

The Danish Road Directorate continues to advance preparations for the third Limfjord Connection following the launch of a market dialogue with contractors and industry specialists regarding the construction of the tunnel crossing beneath the Limfjord and associated roads and bridges.

The third Limfjord Connection in Aalborg will comprise a 20-kilometre, four-lane motorway west of Aalborg, crossing the Limfjord via the island of Egholm. The project includes an approximately 2-kilometre immersed tunnel beneath the southern part of the Limfjord, together with major bridge structures and associated infrastructure.

The market dialogue was launched in July 2025 to gather industry input on the procurement strategy for the third Limfjord Connection. The project has since progressed into detailed design and preparation for procurement, with the knowledge and experience shared by national and international experts helping to shape the procurement strategy and technical requirements for the forthcoming tender process.

Marselis Tunnel project moves closer to construction

The Marselis Tunnel project in Aarhus has reached an important milestone as the Danish Road Directorate completed its market dialogue with potential contractors in spring 2026, ahead of the main construction tender.

The dialogue provided valuable input from the market on procurement strategy, contract conditions and construction methods for the approximately 1.8 km four-lane road tunnel planned beneath Marselis Boulevard.

Ramboll was appointed as client consultant in 2025 and, together with Jacobs and other specialist partners, is supporting the Danish Road Directorate with design development, tender preparation and project management.

The Marselis Tunnel is part of Denmark’s Infrastructure Plan 2035 and will create a direct connection between the Port of Aarhus and the E45 motorway. Construction is expected to begin in the coming years, with completion planned for 2035.

Andrea Pigorini – ITA Chairman.

At ITA’s 51st General Assembly on May 14 during WTC 2025 in Stockholm, Andrea Pigorini was elected as the new President of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA).

Pigorini has worked for Italferr SpA since 2002, where he currently heads the Infrastructure Engineering Division.

He served as President of the Italian Tunnelling Association (SIG) from 2013 to 2022 and has been a member of ITA’s Executive Council since September 2022.

Klaus Rieker from Germany was elected as the new First Vice President.

In the same vote, Singapore was chosen as the host city for WTC 2028.

First two elements of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel have left the factory.

In a press release on February 5, 2025, Femern A/S announced that the first two completed tunnel elements for the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel have been pulled out of the dry dock and floated into the large basins in front of the tunnel factory in Rødbyhavn.

Additional elements are expected to be moved into the basins in the coming period, where they will remain until the main contractor, FLC, has carried out the final finishing works.

So far, a total of seven standard elements of the same type have been cast, along with two special elements featuring a basement level for the tunnel’s technical installations. In total, 89 elements will be produced for the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel.