By following a curve from Lernacken to Kastrup, the link unites the individual components - the immersed tunnel, the artificial island, the approach bridges and the high bridge. The experience of crossing the Øresund Bridge is thus enhanced by the architectural impression of cohesion and simplicity with the high bridge as the towering symbol of the entire link.

The Øresund link's overall disposition and general design is rooted in respect for the environment and for simple, rational, Nordic building traditions. The main architect is Georg K.S. Rotne.


The bridge consists of two approach bridges, constructed on piers and a high bridge over the Flintrännan navigation channel on the Swedish side. With its 490m long free span, the high bridge is the world's longest cable-stayed bridge for both road and railway.

The high bridge is a simple and strong truss bridge with stylistically consistent pylons. The cables are part of a pure, well-balanced pattern with identical angles towards the pylons and are positioned outside the bridge platform to protect them against collisions.

The cables are parallel and symmetrical around the pylon towers which, therefore, receive an evenly distributed load. Under certain light and weather conditions the cables become invisible leaving the pylons as the most prominent part of the link.

The pylons stand out as four monumental towers whose dimensions reduce from sea level and upwards and thus enhance the sense of strength and stability. The inclination on the inner side of the pylons has been adjusted so that the individual tower does not appear to incline inwards.

All visible concrete components - pylon towers, bridge piers, the road, the railway and the bridge abutments are cast in the colour of warm grey. The truss structure carrying road and railway is painted black. All equipment is in galvanised steel. The cable stays are protected by black polyester tubes. At night, the bridge is marked out for shipping and aviation, the towers are floodlit and the road lighting looks like an illuminated pearl chain which delineates the bridge.
The artificial island of Peberholm has been constructed from, sand, clay, stone and lime excavated from the Øresund seabed during the dredging of the channel for the tunnel and bridge piers. On Peberholm, the motorway and railway change course between the bridge, where they run on two levels, and the tunnel where the railway and motorway run parallel on one level.

The contours of the island, with its concave lines and rounded points, reflect several factors. For one, the island must not impede Øresund's water flow and for another, the island must be in harmony with the alignment of the motorway which crosses the island in a slight S-shape curve.

The coastal protection is made from rubble stone from the Swedish west coast and varies from light to dark grey. The biggest stones are placed in the southern, western and eastern sections, as protection against heavy waves and ice pack. In the northern section towards Saltholm, the stones are considerably smaller.
The Øresund Tunnel comprises of immersed tunnel elements beneath the Drogden channel on the Danish side.

Viewed from above, both tunnel entrances point towards each other and clearly mark the tunnel between them. The tunnel has white walls and lighting in two tiers in order to provide motorists with the best possible light conditions.

The entrances to the two motorway tubes have light filters in the roof to allow motorists to adjust to the artificial light in the tunnel. The entrances to the two rail tubes have airshafts in the roof to counter the compressed air effect caused by oncoming trains.