The Danish Parliament has approved the construction of a nearly two-kilometer-long road tunnel under Marselis Boulevard in Aarhus. The project aims to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the city.

The tunnel will facilitate a more direct route for heavy traffic traveling between the E45 motorway and Aarhus Harbour, Denmark’s largest container port, effectively routing it beneath the city. This initiative is expected to alleviate traffic congestion in Aarhus and decrease traffic noise.

Minister of Transport Thomas Danielsen stated that the Marselis Tunnel will provide a fast and efficient connection between the port and the motorway network, allowing residents to reclaim urban spaces. The Danish Road Directorate estimates that approximately 3,000 trucks and semi-trailer trucks travel on the stretch daily.

The Marselis Boulevard tunnel project has been under consideration for several years. It received approval in 2021 as part of an agreement allocating DKK 161 billion to future infrastructure projects. The estimated cost for the tunnel project is DKK 4.1 billion.

Industry representatives have expressed support for the project. Jesper Kronborg, industry director at Dansk Erhverv Transport, hailed the decision as “good news,” highlighting its importance for Aarhus’s infrastructure and its benefits for both citizens and businesses. Mona Hyldgaard Møller, secretariat manager for Danish shipping & port companies (DI), emphasized that the tunnel ensures the efficient handling of anticipated large truck transports.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028, with the tunnel expected to be open for traffic by 2035.