Progress at the Nordhavn Tunnel project in Copenhagen

In the Danish capital, BESIX and MT Højgaard are realising the Nordhavn Tunnel on behalf of the Danish Road Directorate. Now that summer has arrived, the teams are fully geared up to make the most of the favourable weather conditions to advance on this major infrastructure endeavour. With all the sheet pile work being completed, focus is now on grouting, wall anchoring, and excavation.

Groundwater lowering project & excavation

Groundwater management is a critical component for the project. The city of Copenhagen recently granted final authorisation for the site's groundwater lowering project, enabling teams to activate an extensive system of pumps, wells, and pipes. By the end of this month, this large-scale project, which is the largest in Denmark, will be fully operational.

At the same time, excavation work for the construction pit is progressing on both sides of the harbour and will continue through 2024. The entire fleet at the site, which includes over 36 excavators, front loaders, and dumpers, is actively working along the route. More than 90,000 m³ of excavated soil will be reused in building the tunnel.

Tunnel Factory for concrete casting

With excavation at full speed, concrete casting has also commenced at the Tunnel Factory, a building near the site. Our team will assemble the large moulds needed for tunnel casting there. The facility enables us to produce 300 sets of wall formwork moulds efficiently in a spacious indoor environment, ensuring continuous workflow and ideal conditions for the teams. Additionally, this setup upholds high standards of quality and safety.

About the Nordhavn Tunnel

The Nordhavn Tunnel is a 1.4-kilometre-long cut-and-cover road tunnel that will run under the harbour over a distance of 700 metre. It will provide direct access to the urban development areas in inner and outer Nordhavn, diverting heavy traffic away from Østerbro and improving accessibility to the harbour activities. Set to open in summer 2027, the tunnel is expected to handle 8,200 vehicles daily, greatly alleviating congestion and enhancing mobility in the area.