It took the German and Danish governments over 15 years to finally hammer out an agreement on building a bridge of "historic dimensions" between the countries. But now the project has hit rough waters again. Transport experts and a German court have now warned that the bridge is entirely unneeded and could turn into a "money pit worth billions to the German taxpayer." Meanwhile, a majority of Danes want the project ditched.
The 19-kilometer (11.8-mile) span is intended to connect the Baltic Sea cities of Puttgarden on the German island of Fehmarn and Rødby on the Danish island of Lolland. The bridge's supporters believe it will significantly ease trade between northern Scandinavia and the European mainland by complementing the 17-kilometer (10.5-mile) Oresend Bridge completed in 2000 between the Swedish city of Malmo and Copenhagen.
