23 October 2023
This has meant that wind-sensitive vehicles have been prevented from driving across the bridge during strong winds. In order to accommodate the wishes of road users to be able to drive across the Storebælt Bridge in strong winds, Sund & Bælt has gone to great lengths to investigate how this can be done more safely. A range of analyses and calculations of wind conditions have made it possible to identify the impact of wind more precisely.
At the start of 2023, local wind screens were installed at pylons and anchor blocks on the East Bridge, where the risk of wind-sensitive vehicles overturning is greatest. As a result, it is now possible to target the restrictions at far fewer and more specific types of vehicles.
Bans lifted for the vast majority, but speed restrictions must be observed
From Monday 6 November at 16:00, the ban on crossing the bridge in strong crosswinds will therefore be lifted for trailers over 2.5 tonnes and instead will only be directed at trailers up to 2.5 tonnes, i.e. smaller trailers and caravans. However, this requires compliance with speed restrictions on the link.
“We welcome the fact that we can now give many more of our customers the opportunity to drive across Storebælt and also allow higher speeds for them. But this also means that our customers must respect the speed limits that are set so that safety is maintained,” says Kim Agersø Nielsen, Technical Manager at Sund & Bælt.
“It is essential that the speed limit is respected at all times if it is to be possible for more drivers to cross the bridge in these situations. The faster one drives, the greater the wind impact on the individual vehicle and thus the risk of overturning in strong winds. Therefore, we will monitor their speed when customers drive across the bridge and if the speed limit is not observed, we will reintroduce closure for all wind-sensitive vehicles in the event of strong winds,” adds Kim Agersø Nielsen.
From now on, should it be necessary for the ban to come into force, motorists will be warned via new signs before the final exit before the Storebælt Bridge on both sides. Drivers will also be informed that speed is monitored on the link. There will also be information about emergency parking. Read more about parking options.
On the Storebælt Bridge itself, the prevailing speed will be shown on digital signs. Different wind conditions on the West Bridge and East Bridge mean that the speed on the two bridges can vary.
New restrictions from 6 November 2023
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Wind
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Information on the Storebælt Bridge |
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Strong wind (10-15 m/sec) |
Drivers are informed before the last exit that crossing the bridge with a trailer/caravan weighing less than 750 kg is not allowed. Warning of crosswinds. Permitted speed: 110 km/h. |
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Fresh gale (15-20 m/sec) |
Drivers are informed before the last exit that crossing the bridge with a trailer/caravan weighing under 2.5 t is not allowed. Yellow flashing lights and signs on the bridge warn against crosswinds. Permitted speed: 90 km/h. |
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Stormy gale (20-25 m/sec) |
Drivers are informed before the last exit that crossing the bridge with a trailer/caravan under 2.5 t is not allowed. Yellow flashing lights and signs on the bridge warn against crosswinds. Permitted speed: 70 km/h. |
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Storm (> 25 m/sec) |
Barriers are used to close the bridge. Signs inform drivers of the closure and of the expected reopening time at the last exit before the bridge. |
Read more about the new restrictions and wind-sensitive types of vehicles at storebaelt.dk.