The initial construction works are being carried out in conjunction with the expansion of the parallel Køge Bay highway between Greve and Solrød to minimise the impact of the project on the surrounding area. "These two projects are significant at international and national levels, as well as regionally and locally," says Kristensen. "Along with the Øresund Bridge and the future Fehmarn connection, they help to bind Scandinavia with central Europe."

The 56km line will have a maximum operating speed of 250km/h and will relieve the existing mainline through Roskilde, reducing journey times between Copenhagen and Ringsted from 59 minutes to 38 minutes. ETCS Level 2 will be installed on the line which will be electrified at 25kV ac.

Civil works on the 56km double-track route will take place between 2014 and 2016, with tracklaying due to start in 2015. Railway systems will be installed from 2015-2017, with commissioning due to start at the end of 2017, and test-running by mid-2018. The DKr 10.4bn ($US 1.8bn) project is a key component of Denmark's plan to double the capacity of its rail network by 2020.