Third Limfjord Connection: Fugro’s Amphibious Buggy Backs Cowi’s Nearshore Study

To advance Denmark’s planned third crossing of the Limfjord, Fugro has launched a coastal site investigation on behalf of COWI, adviser to the Danish Road Directorate.

Project Overview: Connection West of Aalborg

This flagship transport scheme will expand capacity and improve connectivity west of Aalborg, combining a four‑lane motorway with a tunnel, a low bridge, and related land reclamation works. In this announcement, the route is described at corridor level only (west of Aalborg and around Egholm Island); specific start and end points, as well as a route map or coordinates, are not provided.

Project facts such as the overall project length, estimated cost, key milestones, and an expected completion date are not stated in this announcement.

The planned project start date, planned project end date, and the estimated construction duration are not stated in this announcement.

The current status of tenders, key dates for tender submissions, and the types of contracts being tendered are not described in this announcement. The procurement process details—such as procurement stages, prequalification requirements, and evaluation criteria—are also not outlined here.

Environmental information, including the environmental impact assessment status, mitigation measures, and key environmental concerns, is not covered in this announcement. Planned future upgrades for the existing Limfjord tunnel, as well as any future expansion or upgrade plans for the third connection, are not described here.

Organizations referenced in this announcement include Fugro (site investigation contractor), COWI (adviser to the Danish Road Directorate and project study lead), and the Danish Road Directorate (project authority).

Investigation Approach: Amphibious Operations in Shallow Water

Continuing into summer, the campaign focuses on geotechnical work in ultra‑shallow zones around Egholm Island, where depths are under 1.5 meters. To obtain high‑fidelity data in places unreachable for conventional survey boats or land rigs, Fugro has brought its one‑of‑a‑kind amphibious buggy to Europe for its first deployment. Key features include:Crawler tracks.Four long stabilizing legs.Ability to traverse intertidal fringe.Capability to lock in position for testing.High-quality geotechnical investigations reduce uncertainty, support safer designs, and help planners make informed decisions about buildability and construction risk.

The method reduces disturbance within the fjord and shrinks the overall footprint of the works. Its use in very shallow water cuts downtime and supports an efficient sequence of boreholes, cone penetration tests, and sampling activities.

COWI Senior Project Manager Elena Peri, who leads this study, said: “We are pleased to deliver this program with Fugro. Using the amphibious buggy, we can collect the evidence needed to fully characterize conditions in the Limfjord. In the months ahead, COWI and Fugro will work closely to produce high‑quality outcomes and ensure an efficient site characterization for this strategic infrastructure project in Northern Jutland.”