This axis, an extension of the Øresund fixed link (PP11) and the Nordic Triangle road and rail links (PP12), is a key component in the main north-south route between central Europe and the Nordic countries. It involves the construction of a bridge or a tunnel in order to form a fixed road and rail link, spanning the 19 km wide Fehmarn Strait between Germany and Denmark. It also includes improvements to related rail links in Denmark and Germany. The project will provide an alternative for the ferry link between Rødby (Denmark) and Puttgarden on the Fehmarn Island in Germany. It is expected to stimulate economic development in the Baltic Sea regions of Denmark and Germany. Once completed, it will attract passenger and freight traffic estimated at 3.3 million vehicles and 30-35,000 trains a year, helping to relieve congestion on the Great Belt route across Denmark, and in particular on the rail network. After the completion of the project, the travel time between Copenhagen and Hamburg will be reduced by approximately one hour and travel times for freight transport will be reduced by two hours. Achievements: Work at Femern A/S to manage the challenges is well underway within the limits that have been set by the political parties behind the project. New tasks have emerged, but this does not stop the work on the other core activities. Against this background, and after the 2015 summer holidays, Femern A/S is expected to present a comprehensive progress report to the Minister of Transport and the political parties behind the agreement on the project's construction budget, its overall financial economics and the timetable. The next steps will depend on the political decisions based on the company's upcoming progress report.The bidding process is set as a starting point, so that there will be the opportunity to sign the four major tunnel contracts by the end of 2015 in order that the large-scale construction work can begin in 2016 provided that all conditions are met.