A 28-km underwater tunnel that will connect Europe and Africa at a depth of over 470 meters is about to be completed. With an investment of 40 billion, this project will transform transportation between continents.
When we talk about infrastructure projects that defy logic, this one certainly stands out.
The construction of a tunnel submarine Linking Europe to Africa promises not only to change transport between the continents, but also to directly impact the economy and international cooperation.
The $40 billion megaproject, which already has a completion date, will take modern engineering to a new level, overcoming geological and operational challenges that, until recently, were considered almost impossible to overcome.
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The central point of this colossal undertaking? A tunnel that will stretch 28 kilometers under the Strait of Gibraltar, connecting Spain and Morocco.
And, as if that weren't enough, it will cross one of the most seismic zones on the planet, the Azores-Gibraltar geological fault, diving to an impressive depth of 475 meters below sea level.
The impact of this project is not only technical, but also strategic, as it promises to transform the relationship between the two continents.
A project that was born in 1930, but only gained momentum in 1981
The idea of permanently connecting Europe and Africa through a tunnel emerged almost a century ago, more precisely in 1930.
However, it was not until 1981, with the formal cooperation between Spain and Morocco, that this vision began to materialize in fact.
The project, which has finally taken shape, is one of the most ambitious works of the 2030st century and is scheduled to be completed by XNUMX, consolidating itself as a landmark in global engineering.
With a gigantic budget estimated at 7,534 billion dollars, this tunnel will not only be a monumental work, but also a key piece in strengthening trade relations between Europe and Africa.
The route will connect Punta Paloma in Spain, Malabata in Morocco, providing a new rail link for both passengers and freight.
Tunnel is a milestone in transcontinental mobility
The project's main objective is facilitate rail transport, estimating that around 12,8 million passengers and 13 million tons of cargo pass through this tunnel annually.
The work, in addition to cutting in half the travel time between Casablanca, in Morocco, and Madrid, in Spain – reducing from 12 hours by car to just 5 and a half hours by train – will also bring a series of commercial benefits to both continents.
For Spain and Morocco, this new route will not only open doors to new opportunities business, but also will strengthen cultural and economic ties, facilitating the exchange of goods and services between countries.
A boost for the 2030 World Cup
The construction of this underwater tunnel gained even more relevance with the prospect of 2030 World Cup.
Both Morocco and Spain are part of the joint bid to host the event.
In this way, the tunnel is being treated as a priority and should become a symbol of transcontinental cooperation during the World Cup.
This infrastructure will allow for faster and more efficient logistics between countries, as well as being a calling card for what modern engineering can achieve.
Completing the project by 2030 will be strategic, not only to facilitate the flow of fans during the World Cup, but also to consolidate the work as a milestone of innovation and cooperation between Europe and Africa.
The future of Europe-Africa relations
When completed, the tunnel it will not only be a new transport route, but a true symbol of the partnership between two continents which, historically, have always been close in geographical terms, but maintained great barriers when it comes to economic and cultural integration.
With the tunnel expected to be completed in 2030, mobility between Europe and Africa will never be the same, and the benefits of this union go far beyond infrastructure.
In short, this project not only highlights the power of modern engineering, but also exemplifies how infrastructure works can completely transform global dynamics, uniting countries, boosting economies and promoting cultural exchange.
Could a project of this level be carried out between continents in the Southern Hemisphere, such as South America and Africa?