Groundbreaking Undersea Highway Project Between Morocco and Portugal
Recent international discussions have brought to light an ambitious undersea highway project that aims to connect Morocco and Portugal, with a staggering budget of over €800 million. As reported by OkDiario, this initiative has now progressed into a structured planning phase, signaling a significant step forward in enhancing transportation links between the two nations.
The project is designed to bolster land-based logistics and maritime infrastructure, facilitating a direct connection from Morocco to high-capacity road networks situated north of Tangier. In Portugal, the proposed infrastructure will seamlessly integrate with the existing Algarve network and the A2 motorway, further enhancing connectivity.
Engineers involved in the project have indicated that this innovative infrastructure could fundamentally transform our understanding of territorial connectivity. They described the project as “modular,” assuring stakeholders that its phased implementation will not disrupt current regional traffic conditions. The primary design blueprint includes a double-bore tunnel, featuring separate lanes for each direction along with a dedicated technical emergency corridor to ensure safety and efficiency.
While the total financial outlay for the project will be influenced by various factors, including seismic risks and geological assessments, the comprehensive outline also details several critical phases. These encompass environmental impact studies, the construction of access points, the execution of the tunnel itself, the installation of necessary systems, and subsequent testing phases to ensure operational readiness.
This initiative coincides with similar explorations being undertaken by Morocco and Spain regarding a tunnel across the renowned Strait of Gibraltar. In a recent visit, Spain’s Transport Minister Oscar Puente engaged with Moroccan officials to discuss the finer points of the tunnel project, highlighting the interest of Spanish companies in participating in the development of this crucial infrastructure.
Both projects reflect a broader ambition to enhance connectivity between Africa and Europe, particularly as preparations ramp up for the highly anticipated 2030 World Cup, which will see Morocco, Spain, and Portugal co-hosting the event. Earlier this month, an MoU was signed between Spain and Morocco to initiate joint research focused on the seismicity and geodynamics of the Strait, paving the way for informed decision-making in the development of these significant infrastructure projects.
The envisioned tunnel is expected to span approximately 65 kilometers in total length, with around 40 kilometers situated beneath Spanish territory. The northern entry point is proposed to be located near Vejer de la Frontera. In mid-March, Spain also confirmed a new funding allocation of €1.73 million dedicated to financing technical studies for this infrastructure endeavor.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
