A massive subaquatic passage connecting Europe and Africa may move forward following a significant development. The proposed tunnel, set to pass beneath the Gibraltar Strait, has been revitalized by Spain after being discussed by various administrations over the years. Recent assessments by scientists indicate the technical feasibility of this ambitious engineering project.
A recent study, conducted by German tunnel specialists Herrenknecht and commissioned by the Spanish Government, concluded that constructing a railway tunnel under the Strait using current technology is viable. Subsequently, Spanish consultancy firm Ineco has been assigned to draft a project blueprint by the end of the upcoming year, aiming for potential government approval as early as 2027.
The idea of establishing a man-made link between Europe and Africa was initially raised in the 1970s, resurfacing sporadically in political campaigns and governmental agendas. The latest proposal envisions a tunnel below the nine-mile water stretch between southern Spain and Morocco, drawing inspiration from the Eurotunnel connecting Britain and northern France under the English Channel.
The most recent cost estimate for the project stands at €8.5 billion (£7.4 billion), as reported by Voz Populi. The tunnel project, incorporating two railway tunnels facilitating train traffic in opposite directions, aims to link Punta Paloma in Cadiz with Morocco’s Cape Malabata near Tangier. Spanning approximately 26 miles, with nearly 17 miles underwater, it is projected to reach a depth of 1,540 feet, surpassing the Channel Tunnel’s depth of 246 feet.
The venture faces substantial technical challenges due to its location at the junction of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates along the Azores-Gibraltar fault line, as mentioned by Morocco World News. If approved, fieldwork is expected to begin in 2030, with primary construction slated between 2035 and 2040, although these timelines are subject to adjustments.
Initially targeted for completion by 2030 to coincide with the FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, experts now deem this timeline unrealistic given the project’s complexity and the early stage of studies. The proposed route from Punta Paloma to Cape Malabata follows years of discarded proposals, including an early suspension bridge concept deemed unfeasible due to the Strait’s depth, seismic activity, and extreme wind conditions.
The project’s oversight is a joint effort between SECEGSA and its Moroccan counterpart, SNED, aiming to establish a reliable rail link for passengers and freight between Europe and North Africa.