The crossing includes the network arch bridge which carries road and rail over the Fehmarn Sound. Construction began in 1958 and the bridge was opened on April 30, 1963. The main span is above the sea, which allows shipping to pass through. The bridge is constructed of steel and is wide; are used by Deutsche Bahn for a single rail track, part of the Lübeck–Puttgarden railway, the rest for a pedestrian walkway and two-lane roadway. The two steel arches, from which the central span is suspended by cables, are braced with steel cross-beams. The arches are in length and reach above the main deck of the bridge. The bridge was designed by engineers G. Fischer, T. Jahnke und P. Stein from the firm Gutehoffnungshütte Sterkrade AG, Oberhausen-Sterkrade. Architect Gerd Lohmer helped with the architectural design.
Route and ferry changes
At the same time as the opening of the bridge, changes were made to ferry services. The previous ferry service to the island of Fehmarn was discontinued. The service from Großenbrode Quay, Germany to Gedser, Denmark, crossing both Fehmarn Sound and the Fehmarn Belt, was replaced with a new service from Puttgarden to Rødby, Denmark crossing just the Fehmarn Belt. The new bridge and ferry changes brought about a substantial time saving for both road and rail traffic along the so-called Vogelfluglinie from Hamburg to Copenhagen.
As the bridge was built during the Cold War, six explosive vaults were embedded below the approach road on the mainland side to be used in case of invasion. Their location is given away even today by six square asphalt patches. The vaults were connected to a control point about away in Heinrichsruh.
Future
A Fehmarn Belt Tunnel is decided, between Denmark and Germany, with four lanes and double track railway. But according to the agreement between the two countries, the Fehmarn Sound bridge can remain as it is, one lane per direction and a single railway track. In december 2012 a study was published saying that the bridge could not cope with the increased railway traffic expected after the tunnel opening. It has been considered to build a replacement, or to keep the bridge for road traffic and build a rail connection, maybe a Fehmarn Sound tunnel. The state as historic monument has to be considered.
