Bridge construction underway for the Fehmarnsund link
In a bold show of unity, the county council of Kreis Ostholstein has unequivocally backed Landrat Timo Gaarz's mission to dodge the hefty road maintenance expenses related to the Fehmarnsund Bridge. Gaarz expressed his thankfulness towards the council for their unwavering support, stating, "The county council has sent a powerful message, affirming their commitment to the well-being of Kreis Ostholstein, its municipalities, and its citizens."
For over two years, Kreis Ostholstein has steadfastly opposed the assumption of the road maintenance burden for the Fehmarnsund Bridge. The construction of a new Fehmarnsund tunnel between Fehmarn and the mainland will connect to the Fehmarn Belt crossing, resulting in the B 207 between Großenbrode and Fehmarn being demoted to a county road, encompassing the Fehmarnsund Bridge. This downgrading would place the entire maintenance and upkeep responsibility, along with the technical and financial burdens, upon Kreis Ostholstein and its associated municipalities involved in the cost-sharing. Taking on this burden would stretch beyond the financial capabilities of Kreis Ostholstein and its participating municipalities.
In December 2024, the county council sided with Landrat Gaarz's crusade to resolve the impasse concerning the road maintenance burden of the Fehmarnsund Bridge. At their meeting on June 17, the county council reinforced their stance and instructed the Landrat to take all necessary steps to safeguard Kreis Ostholstein from this maintenance burden. The council also stated their intent to resort to legal action if required.
The new State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, Transport, Work, Technology, and Tourism of the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Susanne Henckel, has also pledged Landrat Gaarz her support in addressing this dispute. She affirmed that the state would not abandon Kreis Ostholstein with the resulting expenses if they were to shoulder the road maintenance burden and that they would collaborate with the federal government to secure a fair reprieve.
Curiously, recent search results from 2025 offer no substantial details or updates regarding this conflict over the road maintenance burden for the Fehmarnsund Bridge between Kreis Ostholstein and the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Instead, the search results emphasize other cross-border infrastructure projects, such as the Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden, where cooperation and integration have been successful. The upcoming Fehmarn Belt Tunnel between Germany and Denmark is likewise mentioned, but no discussions about disputes over maintenance responsibilities for the Fehmarnsund Bridge are found within these search results.
To acquire more in-depth, current information or updates on this topic, it might be necessary to consult official statements or contact the local government of Kreis Ostholstein or the Schleswig-Holstein state authorities directly.
The county council's decision to support Landrat Timo Gaarz in addressing the impasse over the road maintenance burden of the Fehmarnsund Bridge is a clear indication of their commitment to policy-and-legislation related to the well-being of Kreis Ostholstein. This stance was reinforced in June 2024 when the council instructed Gaarz to take all necessary steps to safeguard the county from the burden, even going so far as to threaten legal action if required.
In their pursuit to avoid assuming the financial and technical responsibilities of the Fehmarnsund Bridge, Kreis Ostholstein's politics revolve around general-news stories that emphasize their struggle against the maintenance costs, such as the absence of updates in 2025 search results, which focus instead on other cross-border infrastructure projects like the Øresund Bridge.
