Impact on local air quality of the planned fixed link across Øresund

The planned combined bridge and tunnel link between Sweden and Denmark (the Øresund Link) is expected to be in operation around the turn of the century. So far the impacts of the Øresund Link on air pollution have been discussed mainly in terms of changes in emissions, taking into account implications of the link on traffic in the region. It appears that the influence on regional and global air pollution will be marginal. Concerning local effects however, the situation is different; the new link across the Øresund and the island Amager will result in significant changes in traffic pattern and traffic intensity and thus also in air quality in some areas. An investigation initiated in 1994 on the Danish side of the link comprises monitoring of present air pollution and model evaluations of future pollution levels in a series of streets for various traffic scenarios. So far no violations of present limit values have been indicated, but guidelines may be exceeded.