Despite a 6.5 percent growth in freight traffic, the Øresund Bridge is experiencing a fall in vehicle numbers.
In 2013, 18,337 vehicles crossed the bridge every day – considerably below its most pessimistic traffic forecast of 20,000-30,000 vehicles per day.
“Of course it is something we are focused on: that the traffic development has not been as favourable as we had hoped.” said Kaj V Holm, the financial director at Sund & Bælt Holding, which owns half of the Øresundsbro Association.
According to Holm, the decline in commuter traffic in the Øresund region has had a strong effect on figures.
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Lost income
The development, taken over a period of four years, reveals a 1.2 percent decline in vehicles crossing the bridge.
Original budget repayments for the bridge that were expected to be completed within 30 years of its 2000 opening will now probably be pushed back to 2034.
Growth in non-commuter traffic
Despite the economic strain, growth in non-commuter traffic has increased, however.
In 2013, some 300,000 private motorists took advantage of a discount offer that offered cheaper prices for multiple crossings, according to the Ingeniøren website.
