Only signatures are missing in the agreement about a link between East Denmark and Germany.

An agreement about the construction of a Femern bridge looks to be a reality. All problems in the negotiations with Germany have been cleared and now only the final signatures are missing on the agreement announces the Danish Minister of Transport Carina Christensen who expects that the bridge will be finished according to schedule in 2018, writes Børsen Business Daily.

A Femern bridge has been discussed for years and after a preliminary agreement in June 2007 Denmark and Germany have intensively discussed the final conditions for the project, which altogether will cost EUR 6.5 billion. A number of concerns especially on the German side have delayed the process but now the two parties have agreed.

The summer period will, however, mean that the final signature will not take place till the end of August or perhaps September.

The Femern link is expected to employ 7,000-10,000 when under construction. The bridge itself is estimated to cost EUR 4.5 billion whereas the ground plants on each side are expected to amount to approximately EUR 1 billion each. The construction work is to start in 2012 and is to be finished in 2018.

Part of the money will be covered by the EU via a special programme, which is to support important European infrastructure. The EU will support with EUR 300 million during the period 2007-2013, corresponding to 25 per cent of the expected costs during the period. Further EU financing is expected in the finalising part of the construction.