26 April 2024

Excavation for construction pit Nordhavn Tunnel started

Construction of the Nordhavn Tunnel in Copenhagen, Denmark, has recently entered a new phase with the completion of the piling works and the commencement of excavation works for the construction pit. On behalf of the Danish Road Directorate, BESIX and MT Højgaard Denmark are designing and building this 1.4-kilometre-long tunnel, which is one of Copenhagen’s largest infrastructure projects at the moment.

Preceding excavation, the joint venture concluded the installation of sheet piles, secant piles, and uplift anchors for the construction pit. The challenging weather conditions, which included significant precipitation and wind, caused limited delays to the works. However, the team is confident that they will eliminate these delays will in the coming months.

Piling works are now completed.

The excavation phase, which started in the Nordhavn neighbourhood, will now continue throughout 2024. Later this spring, excavation activities on the side of Østerbro will also commence. The casting of the actual tunnel is scheduled to start this summer, proceeding alongside excavation works. More than 90,000 m³ of the excavated soil will be repurposed in the tunnel construction.

About the Nordhavn Tunnel project

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 more direct access to the urban development zones in outer and inner Nordhavn, and connect Østerbro with outer Nordhavn. In addition to the tunnel, the scope of the works also cover local roads and junctions to be built in connection with the tunnel, as well as mechanical and electrical installations and several traffic control and monitoring system.