Giant Bridge Links 2 Danish Islands

An 11-mile bridge linking the Danish islands of Sjaeland and Funen is scheduled to open to passenger trains today. The $3.3-billion project took nearly a decade.

Train cars are currently put aboard ferries that take an hour to cross the strait between the islands. After the bridge is open, the trip will take only eight minutes, said Lillian Hess of the Danish Tourist Board. Tourism officials, noting that most U.S. visitors never venture farther than northern Sjaeland, where Copenhagen is located, hope the bridge will encourage more exploration. Funen’s attractions include the home of children’s author Hans Christian Andersen and Legoland park (created from millions of Lego bricks).

For reservations on trains that cross the bridge, known as the Great Belt Fixed Link, contact a travel agent or Rail Europe; tel. (800) 438-7245. The bridge is expected to open to cars in the summer of 1998.