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Africa-Europe Tunnel: A Leap Under the Sea
5 Jan
Summary
- A £7.4bn undersea tunnel project linking Spain and Morocco is technically viable.
- The 26-mile tunnel could halve travel time between Madrid and Casablanca.
- Construction fieldwork is tentatively planned to start in 2030.
A groundbreaking £7.4bn plan to construct a massive underwater railway tunnel between Africa and Europe has been deemed technically viable, according to a recent feasibility study. This ambitious project aims to connect Spain and Morocco across the Strait of Gibraltar, a critical step that could revolutionize transcontinental travel and trade.
The proposed 26-mile tunnel, with nearly 17 miles submerged, would significantly shorten journeys. For instance, the travel time between Madrid and Casablanca is projected to decrease from a current 12-hour car and ferry trip to a mere five and a half hours by train. This undertaking is expected to feature two separate railway tunnels, accommodating one-way traffic for enhanced safety and efficiency.
While initial hopes for a 2030 completion have been deemed unrealistic, experts suggest fieldwork could begin around that year. Main construction is tentatively scheduled between 2035 and 2040, pending government approval. The project's technical viability was confirmed by German tunnel experts, although further analysis is underway for sections with complex geological conditions.
