Building the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel

May 5, 2026, 15:23
EuropeTechnology

Introduction

Workers are now putting the first parts of the tunnel into the sea.

Main Body

The tunnel connects Denmark and Germany. It is 18 kilometers long. It has space for cars and trains. Workers use 89 big concrete pieces to build it. Each piece is very large. It is 217 meters long. Five boats move these pieces. One special ship puts them on the sea floor. The project is slow. The tunnel may not open in 2029. Now, it might open in 2031. This is because the ships and papers were late.

Conclusion

The work has started, but the tunnel will finish later than planned.

Learning

🏗️ Learning with Numbers & Sizes

Look at how the text describes the tunnel. It uses a simple pattern: [Thing] + [is] + [Number/Size].

Examples from the text:

  • It → is → 18 kilometers long.
  • Each piece → is → 217 meters long.

How to use this: When you want to describe an object's size or length, just use the word is.

Quick practice patterns:

  • My house is small.
  • The road is 10 kilometers long.
  • The book is thick.

⏳ Talking about the Future

The text uses two different ways to talk about when the tunnel opens:

  1. Will (100% sure/planned) →\rightarrow "the tunnel will finish later"
  2. May/Might (Maybe/Not sure) →\rightarrow "it might open in 2031"

Simple Rule: Use Will for a fact. Use Might for a guess.

Vocabulary Learning

workers (n.)
people who do manual or physical work
Example:Workers are now putting the first parts of the tunnel into the sea.
putting (v.)
placing something in a particular position
Example:Workers are now putting the first parts of the tunnel into the sea.
first (adj.)
the earliest in time or order
Example:The first parts of the tunnel are being put into the sea.
parts (n.)
pieces that make up a whole
Example:The first parts of the tunnel are being put into the sea.
tunnel (n.)
a long underground passage
Example:The tunnel connects Denmark and Germany.
sea (n.)
a large body of salt water
Example:Workers are putting the parts into the sea.
connects (v.)
makes a link between two places
Example:The tunnel connects Denmark and Germany.
Denmark (n.)
a country in Europe
Example:The tunnel connects Denmark and Germany.
Germany (n.)
a country in Europe
Example:The tunnel connects Denmark and Germany.
long (adj.)
extending a great distance
Example:It is 18 kilometers long.
space (n.)
room or area available
Example:It has space for cars and trains.
cars (n.)
vehicles with four wheels
Example:It has space for cars and trains.
trains (n.)
vehicles that run on tracks
Example:It has space for cars and trains.
use (v.)
to employ something
Example:Workers use 89 big concrete pieces to build it.
concrete (adj.)
made from cement, sand, and water
Example:Workers use 89 big concrete pieces to build it.
pieces (n.)
small parts of a whole
Example:Workers use 89 big concrete pieces to build it.
large (adj.)
big in size
Example:Each piece is very large.
meters (n.)
unit of length
Example:It is 217 meters long.
boats (n.)
small watercraft
Example:Five boats move these pieces.
move (v.)
to change position
Example:Five boats move these pieces.