Great Belt Bridge Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids The Great Belt Bridge (The East Bridge)
The East Bridge as seen from the Zealand side.
Carries	Motor vehicles
Crosses	Great Belt
Official name	Østbroen
Maintained by	A/S Storebælt
Characteristics
Design	Suspension bridge
Material	Concrete and steel
Total length	6,790 metres (22,277 ft)
Width	31 metres (102 ft)
Height	254 metres (833 ft)
Longest span	1,624 metres (5,328 ft)
Piers in water	19
Clearance below	65 metres (213 ft)
History
Designer	Dissing+Weitling
Construction end	1998
Opened	14 June 1998

The Great Belt Bridge (called Storebæltsforbindelsen in Danish) is a very important connection in Denmark. It is also known as the Great Belt Fixed Link. This amazing structure includes both a bridge and a tunnel.

It crosses a narrow part of the sea called the Great Belt. This strait is located between two of Denmark's main islands. These islands are Zealand (Sjælland) and Funen (Fyn). The bridge and tunnel help people travel easily between them.

What is the Great Belt Fixed Link?
- The East Bridge: A Giant Structure
  - How Tall is the Bridge?
- The West Bridge and East Tunnel
  - When Was it Built?
Why is the Great Belt Bridge Important?
Related pages
Images for kids
See also

What is the Great Belt Fixed Link?

The Great Belt Fixed Link is not just one bridge. It is a huge project that connects the islands of Zealand and Funen. It has three main parts:

The East Bridge, which is a suspension bridge for cars.
The East Tunnel, which is a railway tunnel.
The West Bridge, which carries both cars and trains.

The East Bridge: A Giant Structure

The East Bridge is the most famous part of the link. It is a suspension bridge that carries motor vehicles. This means it has a road deck hanging from strong cables. These cables are supported by tall towers called pylons.

The East Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Its main span, the part between the two main towers, is 1,624 metres (5,328 ft) long. The total length of the East Bridge is 6,790 metres (22,277 ft).

How Tall is the Bridge?

The two main pylons of the East Bridge are very tall. They reach a height of 254 metres (833 ft). This makes them some of the tallest structures in Denmark. Ships can pass underneath the bridge. There is a clear space of 65 metres (213 ft) below the bridge. This allows even very large ships, like cruise ships, to sail through.

The West Bridge and East Tunnel

The West Bridge connects Funen to a small island called Sprogø. This part carries both cars and trains. The East Tunnel is for trains only. It goes under the Great Belt, connecting Sprogø to Zealand.

When Was it Built?

Building this huge link took many years. The entire project was completed in 1998. It officially opened to traffic on June 14, 1998. Since then, it has made travel across Denmark much faster and easier.

Why is the Great Belt Bridge Important?

The Great Belt Fixed Link is very important for Denmark. Before it was built, people had to use ferries to cross the Great Belt. This took a lot of time. Now, cars and trains can cross quickly.

It has also helped connect Denmark better with the rest of Europe. It is a key part of the transport network. It helps move goods and people across the country.

Oresund Bridge

Images for kids

Aerial view of the eastern portion, with the East Bridge, or Storebæltsbroen
The toll area at night. Each booth can be used for electronic toll collection (green booths), credit card (blue booths) or manual payment (yellow booths), depending on the load on each payment method.
The East Bridge as seen from above.
The East Bridge from below.
View from below the East Bridge south-east toward Korsør.
The East Bridge from the top of the eastern pylon.
The East Bridge on a clear day.
A closeup of the two pylons.
Allure of the Seas passing under the East Bridge
The East Bridge at sunset.
The East Bridge at night.
The East Bridge at sunset as seen aboard a cruise ship.
Passing the East Bridge aboard a cruise ship.
West bridge.