09 March 2024 , 08:00
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Spain's Transport Minister, Oscar Puente, has raised hopes for a 17.2-mile underwater tunnel linking Spain with Africa to become a reality in the coming years. This Fixed Link Project for the Strait of Gibraltar was first discussed 40 years ago and is seen as a strategic key for both Spain and Morocco, as well as Europe and Africa.
His predecessor, Raquel Sanchez, had already sparked interest in this project back in February 2023. She expressed to the Moroccan government that the Spanish construction sector was keen to help develop infrastructure in Morocco.
At the time, she stated: "We are going to give impetus to the studies of the Fixed Link Project for the Strait of Gibraltar, which was initiated by both countries forty years ago. A strategic project for Spain and Morocco, and also for Europe and Africa."
In July, it was confirmed in the Spanish government gazette that £1.96million (2.3m) of European funds would be given to the Spanish Society for Fixed Communication across the Strait of Gibraltar (SECEGSA). This money will be used to update the studies related to the project.
This week, during a visit to Morocco, Mr Puente announced that a meeting focused on the Fixed Link Project would be scheduled "as soon as possible". This meeting, which could lead to further progress in the development of the project, comes after the minister reached an agreement with his Moroccan counterparts, reports the Express.
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The tunnel would be 17.2 miles long ((Image: GETTY-STOCK))Spain and Morocco are joining forces to create special groups to work on the project to connect the two countries. They met in Rabat to talk about how important this link is. he Spanish minister, Mr Puente, said that Spain and Morocco get along really well and always talk to each other. This helps them plan new ways for people and things to travel between the two places.
They hope this project will solve some problems before the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco, Spain and Portugal are hosting together. Mr Puente shared: "For the Spanish government, relations with Morocco are a priority. We believe that Morocco is a country that represents an enormous opportunity for the European Union for economic, cooperation and migratory reasons."
People have been thinking about making a path between Spain and Morocco for a long time. The idea started with a big promise made by the leaders of both countries in 1979. There have been lots of ideas over the years, like building a tunnel or a bridge. But we still don't know exactly what the Fixed Link Project will look like.
Last year, the Spanish newspaper La Razon reported that the project might include a high-speed rail link stretching about 26 miles. The project reportedly includes a 17.2-mile-long underwater tunnel and a 6.3-mile underground tunnel. Moroccan state-owned media SNRTNews said last year the tunnel would reach a maximum depth of 1,558 feet.