A massive subaquatic tunnel connecting Europe and Africa may become a reality following a significant development in the project. Spain has revived the ambitious plan to construct the tunnel beneath the Gibraltar Strait, which has been discussed by various governments for many years. Recent findings from experts suggest that such a remarkable engineering project is feasible with current technology.
A study conducted by German tunnel specialists Herrenknecht, commissioned by the Spanish Government in October, determined that drilling a railway tunnel under the Gibraltar Strait is technically possible. Subsequently, the Spanish consultancy firm Ineco has been assigned to design a blueprint for the project by the end of the next year, with expectations for government approval as early as 2027.
The idea of establishing a man-made link between Europe and Africa was initially proposed in the 1970s and has intermittently appeared in political campaigns and government agendas since then, without progressing until now. The envisioned tunnel, set to run beneath the nine-mile water stretch separating southern Spain from Morocco, draws inspiration from the Eurotunnel connecting Britain and northern France under the English Channel.
The estimated cost for the project is €8.5 billion (£7.4 billion), with plans for two separate railway tunnels accommodating trains in one direction, linking Punta Paloma in Cadiz to Morocco’s Cape Malabata near Tangier. The proposed tunnel, spanning approximately 26 miles, with nearly 17 miles underwater, is projected to reach a depth of 1,540 feet, significantly surpassing the Channel Tunnel.
Despite the technical challenges posed by its location at the boundary between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates along the Azores-Gibraltar fault line, the project progress is being closely monitored. Fieldwork is expected to start in 2030, with the main construction phase scheduled between 2035 and 2040, although these timelines are subject to adjustments.
While initial plans aimed to complete the tunnel by 2030, aligning with the FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, experts now believe that timeline is unrealistic due to the project’s complexity. The current proposed route from Punta Paloma to Cape Malabata represents a culmination of decades of discarded proposals, including an earlier idea for a suspension bridge, which was deemed unfeasible due to various environmental factors.
The project is a collaborative effort between SECEGSA and SNED, aiming to establish a reliable rail connection for passengers and freight between Europe and North Africa.