The association Als-Fyn Broen is a private and voluntary association established to promote a permanent link (bridge or tunnel) connecting the isle of Als and the isle of Fyn. The vision is to bring the Region of Southern Denmark closer together contributing to growth and development. The cost of a permanent link is estimated to 22,8 bn Danish Kroner and would be among the most expensive infrastructure projects in Denmark.
Client challenges
Policymakers are constantly faced with decisions to prioritise and allocate limited public funds to infrastructure investments. A permanent link is a major infrastructure investment and its funding compete with many other projects. To realise the project the association Als-Fyn Broen needed to establish support for the project among both local and national politicians.
Our approach and findings
HBS Economics was commissioned to assist the association Als-Fyn Broen in developing the socio-economic arguments to advocate for the permanent link. Our work included the following activities:
- Case catalogue: Estimating regional effects from infrastructure investments
- Evaluating the impact on regional labour markets on Als and Fyn
- Preparing presentations to township meetings and meetings with mayors
- Contributions to PR material (E.g. newspaper chronicles, presentations)
- Assistance and advice in the tendering processes
Benefits achieved for our client
Our advice and findings and advice have been used to influence policy makers to put a permanent link on the national agenda. In 2019, a permanent link was included in a new infrastructure agreement between the government and political parties. It was agreed to prepare an EIA study, that documented that establishing a permanent link is associated with positive socio-economic effects.