Spain has earmarked a total of €1.6 million that will be utilized for the studying the viability of the Morocco-Spain Underwater Tunnel that will link Europe and Africa. According to reports by the Spanish news outlets, the Spanish Ministry of Transport, led by Óscar Puente, cut the initial budget from €2.4 million after modifying some planned tasks.
The ambitious tunnel project is expected to create a submarine tunnel that will run through the Strait of Gibraltar. This strategic tunnel connection would connect Europe with Africa through one of the world’s most important maritime crossings.
Also read: Morocco-Spain High-Speed Rail Route Set to Link Madrid to Casablanca
Project Factsheet
Type: Primarily a rail tunnel designed for both high-speed passenger and freight trains. Road vehicle traffic is not currently planned.
Route: The most discussed route connects Punta Paloma (near Tarifa, Spain) with Punta Malabata (near Tangier, Morocco).
Length: The total tunnel length is projected to be around 38.5 to 42 kilometers, with approximately 27.7 to 28 kilometers running underwater.
Tunnel structure: The current design includes two railway tunnels and a service and safety gallery, connected by transverse passages at regular intervals (around 340 meters) and safety zones.
Diameter: Each single-track railway tunnel is planned to have an internal diameter of about 7.9 meters, while the service tunnel would be around 6 meters.
Gradient: The maximum gradient within the tunnels is projected to be around 3 percent.
Cost: Estimates vary significantly, ranging from €6 billion to €15 billion.
Also read: Spanish Firm Awarded Contract to Conduct Morocco-Spain Undersea Rail Line Study
Ineco Tasked to Conduct the Study
Ineco, which is a public company, will be responsible for conducting the study to determine financial viability of other construction alternatives. Currently, the Spanish government is utilizing the European Next Generation funds to fund the technical support work.
Two possible entry points of the tunnel are being considered on the Spanish side. One alternative is Algeciras with its strategic port and railway connections. The other entry point is the coast near Tarifa, Europe’s southernmost city.
Length of the Morocco-Spain Underwater Tunnel
The tunnel is expected to stretch up to 38.5 kilometers. A total of 27.7 kilometers will run underwater. Additionally, it would contain two railway tunnels beneath the seabed.
“This permanent link infrastructure that will run across the Strait would entail of a crucial link in the Euro-Mediterranean transport network,” the Ministry of Transport stated. “The facilitation of passenger, goods and services flows will lead to the production of a quantitative and qualitative acceleration of the economy.”
Feasibility Studies of the Project
Herrenknecht, the world-leading German company in tunnel development and implementation, is the one studying construction feasibility. The company has an aim to complete their assessment by June. This information is according to SECEGSA, the Spanish Company for Studies on Fixed Communication across the Gibraltar Strait.
Also read: £6bn Africa-Europe Tunnel Studies Underway; Project to Kick Off Operations by 2030
