The Øresund Bridge (locally called Øresundsbron ) connects Amager and Oresund in Denmark (on the island of Zealand) with Skane, Sweden, a total length of just over 10 miles (16.4 km). The road across the Oresund Strait connects the metropolitan areas of Copenhagen and Malmo.
Perfect for travelers who want a quick connection between Sweden and Denmark without flying, the Øresund Bridge transports more than 60,000 travelers daily, both local travelers and tourists. The Øresund Bridge supports a four-lane road on the upper deck that carries 6 million vehicles per year, and two train tracks on the lower deck that carry another 8 million people each year. Crossing the bridge by car takes about 10 minutes; The train ride between Malmo and Copenhagen stations takes about 35 minutes.
Building
In 1991, the governments of Denmark and Sweden agreed to jointly build this massive project, and although it took a while, the Oresund Bridge was officially opened on July 1, 2000.
The construction of the Øresund Bridge included the construction of the elevated section, which spans about half the length of Sweden; the tunnel (2.5 miles long / 4 km) that crosses the rest of the way to Denmark, and a new artificial island called Peberholm that links the two where travelers pass from the tunnel level (on the Danish side) to the bridge level in the Swedish side.
The local name of the Øresund bridge ‘Øresundsbron’ is a combination of the Danish word ‘Øresundsbroen’ and the Swedish word ‘Öresundsbron’, which mean Oresund bridge in English.
Tolls
Travelers can purchase single-use or multiple-use toll passes for the bridge. Single-use toll passes for cars up to 6 meters in length, or less than 20 feet, cost EUR 50 as of April 2018; Larger vehicles up to 10 meters in length (32.8 feet) and trailers with a combined length of 15 meters (16.4 feet) or less cost EUR 100. Vehicles over 10 meters in length or more than 15 meters with a trailer they cost EUR 192. Prices include VAT of 25 percent. In addition to a popular annual bridge discount subscription (called BroPas) aimed at travelers, travelers can consider purchasing a 10-ride pass at a 30 percent discount.
Travelers pay the toll to drive across the Oresund Bridge at the toll station on the Swedish side, with cash and credit cards accepted. Border controls also take place at the toll station, and everyone crossing the bridge must carry a passport or driver’s license to enter Sweden. Although delays and closures rarely occur, you can check bridge traffic and toll information before you travel.
Fun facts
The high bridge part of the Øresund Bridge has the longest cable-stayed main span of all bridges in the world. That goes for both road and rail traffic. And the Øresundsbron tunnel part is the longest underwater tube tunnel in the world, also for road and rail traffic.
The man-made island of Peberholm, built as the link between the bridge and tunnel sections, has become a vital habitat for endangered species such as the black-headed gull, which established a colony there with up to a few hundred mating pairs. Since 2004, the rare green toad has also been seen on the island, now one of Denmark’s largest populations.
