Denmark High-Speed RailHigh-Speed Rail in DenmarkThe first high-speed railway in Denmark was the Copenhagen–Ringsted Line, completed in late 2018 and opened in 2019. Further high-speed lines are currently under planning. ''Since HSR in Denmark is reaches no more than 200 km/h, it can also be described as higher-speed rail.'' As a part of a long-term green plan for transportation in Denmark in December 2008, the government at the time presented a high-speed strategy for the inter-city train traffic, called The Hour Model, or in Danish: Timemodellen. The strategy contains bringing down the travel time on the three links that connect the four largest cities of Denmark (Copenhagen-Odense-Aarhus-Aalborg) to one hour, thereby decreasing the total travel time between Copenhagen and Aalborg from approximately 4½ hours to 3 hours. The first part of the Hour Model, the new high-speed line between Copenhagen and Ringsted, opened in 2019. After realization of the first three stages of the Hour Model, it can be expanded to Esbjerg and Herning. On 1 March 2013, the government published their proposal for fulfilling the Hour Model, as well as an electrification of the main lines. The proposal includes creation of a DKK 27.5 billion fund, Togfonden DK or Train Fund DK, based on taxes from oil activities in the North Sea. The funding was supported by Enhedslisten and Dansk Folkeparti in a political agreement on 17 September 2013, when the potential outcome where adjusted to DKK 28.5 billion. On 14 January 2014, the parties behind the funding published an agreement for spending the fund, where from DKK 14.8 billion will be spent for realizing the Hour Model. Denmark High-Speed Rail Completed Projects Øresund Fixed Link The Øresund Fixed Link has 200 km/h as permitted and used speed (by X 2000 only) on the bridge and the Peberholm island, since year 2000. This stretch has Swedish signalling system, considered easier to install and giving higher speed. Intercity Express From 2007 to 2017 ICE TD high speed trains extended the German Intercity Express service into Denmark. Routes served were Berlin-Hamburg-Copenhagen and Berlin-Hamburg-Aarhus. The trains could reach high speed only on the Berlin-Hamburg section, and would continue on regular railway lines into Denmark. High-Speed Rail Approved Projects Hour Model First stage: Copenhagen to Odense To bring the travel time between Copenhagen and Odense down to one hour, two works are planned: A new 200 km/h high-speed rail line between Copenhagen and Ringsted via Køge Nord, which opened in 2019. Upgrading the existing rail line between Ringsted and Odense via the Great Belt Fixed Link to 200 km/h, was said to be carried out in 2022. This requires the ERTMS system which as of 2024 is planned to be installed on this stretch in two sections in 2027 and 2029. Second stage: Aarhus to Aalborg Like the first stage of the Hour Model, the second one also consists of two works, both in planning: Upgrading the existing rail line between Aalborg and Hobro to 200 km/h, expected carried out in 2024. Upgrading and straightening of the existing rail line between Hobro and Aarhus. Expected to be carried out from 2021. The government plan of 1 March 2013 first mentioned the speed upgrade. DKK 4.9 billion are reserved for second stage and remaining initiatives on first stage. Third stage: Odense to Aarhus The central stage of the Hour Model between Odense and Aarhus is considered the most complex and most expensive to complete. Therefore, this stage was not considered realizable before 2020, now 2030. In March 2011, the Danish Ministry of Transport published a strategic analysis of new transport connections between Copenhagen and Aarhus, including two alternative strategies for fulfilling the Hour Model between Odense and Aarhus: The "Little Belt - Vejle Fjord" Alignment Alternative, including new high-speed rail lines between Odense and Middelfart and between Horsens and Aarhus, as well as bypasses around Fredericia (requiring new bridge across Little Belt), Vejle (requiring new bridge across Vejle Fjord) and Horsens. The bridge/tunnel across Vejle Fjord was abandoned in 2022. The "Odense - Horsens" Alignment Alternative, a new high-speed rail line between Odense and Aarhus via Horsens, crossing Little Belt between Bogense and Juelsminde, either as a rail-only bridge or as a combined rail and road bridge. The parts which have received the go-ahead so far are: The Vestfyn Line, a new high-speed line between Odense and Middelfart, connecting to the old Little Belt bridge. Designed for 250 km/h operation, and set to be built from 2023. This new high-speed rail line will also enable journey times between Odense and Esbjerg of 1 hour. New line Hovedgård-Hasselager. Designed for 250 km/h operation. Basic plan approved, final alignment pending. In 2023 it was reported that there was no longer a political majority for the project. The sections which are still pending approval are:
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