Groundbreaking Tunnel Proposal to Link Spain and Morocco
After years of extensive studies and engineering advancements, plans for a monumental project aimed at connecting Spain and Morocco via a road tunnel are now deemed "feasible". This ambitious initiative, which has been under consideration for over four decades, is finally gaining traction as experts have identified a viable solution to this complex undertaking.
According to the Spanish Society of Studies for Fixed Communication across the Strait of Gibraltar (SECEGSA), the organization responsible for assessing the project's feasibility, a nearly 42-kilometer-long tunnel is proposed to be constructed. This tunnel would link Punta Paloma in Tarifa, Spain, with Malabata in Tangier, Morocco, featuring approximately 27.7 kilometers submerged underwater at a maximum depth of 475 meters.
The project's design includes the construction of three tunnels: two dedicated to train operations and one for emergency services. The idea of allowing conventional vehicles to traverse the tunnel has been definitively ruled out for the time being, as the focus remains solely on rail connectivity.
Financial estimates suggest that the total cost of this monumental project could range between $7.5 billion and $10 billion. SECEGSA, a public company committed to advancing this tunnel construction, has confirmed its viability despite the significant engineering challenges it poses. Previous projects undertaken by the company, including the tunnels beneath the Manzanares River in Madrid, underscore their expertise in handling such complex constructions.
One of the most challenging aspects of this project will be the tunneling through the 'Umbral de Camarinal', a geological formation that separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, officials have cautioned that executing this phase will require a considerable economic and logistical effort. If all goes according to plan, the first phase of construction could commence as early as 2027.
As reported by 20minutos.es.
