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Doha – For over four decades, the governments of Spain and Morocco have contemplated the idea of constructing a bridge across the Strait of Gibraltar, a project that would create an unprecedented land link between Europe and Africa.
According to a recent report by the Spanish newspaper AS, such a connection would span just 14 km, following the example of the Channel Tunnel that connects France and England over a distance of more than 50 km.
However, despite the immense potential benefits, the concept of a bridge has been repeatedly dismissed due to the complex challenges posed by the strait’s unique geography.
AS outlines three primary reasons why building a bridge across the Strait of Gibraltar is considered an “impossible project.”
The first and most significant obstacle is the immense depth of the waters in the strait.
“In that short span of 14 kilometers, the depths vary between 300 and 900 meters, a distance between the surface and the seabed that considerably complicates the construction of foundations,” the report explains.
In comparison, the English Channel has a maximum depth of 180 meters and an average depth of just 54 meters along the Channel Tunnel’s 50 km route.
The second challenge arises from the powerful marine currents that flow through the strait.
AS notes, “In this point, two seas meet: the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The cold Atlantic waters converge with the warm Mediterranean waters and cause submarine currents that would pose another risk for construction.”
These strong underwater currents add a further layer of complexity to any potential building efforts.
Lastly, the Strait of Gibraltar is situated in a seismically active region.
“The Mediterranean is the point of collision between the African and Eurasian plates, which makes the area a place with a risk of earthquakes,” the report states.
This heightened seismic activity would need to be carefully considered and mitigated in any infrastructure project of this scale.
While a bridge might be unfeasible, Spain and Morocco are reportedly exploring an alternative: a tunnel similar to the Channel Tunnel.
AS reports that both countries are aiming to have this tunnel operational by 2030, aligning with their joint hosting of the FIFA World Cup alongside Portugal. However, even this project presents significant engineering challenges.
The proposed tunnel would span 28 km and follow a different route than the shortest path between the two continents.
“It is planned to take another route to bypass the differences in depth in the strait and will link Punta Paloma in Cádiz with the Moroccan city of Malabata,” the report details.
Nevertheless, constructing a tunnel at depths exceeding 500 meters remains a formidable undertaking, one that will test the limits of modern engineering.
The dream of physically connecting Europe and Africa via the Strait of Gibraltar has captured the imaginations of those on both sides of the water divide for generations.
As Spain and Morocco continue to work towards making this vision a reality, they must contend with the substantial geological and oceanographic challenges that have thus far prevented the construction of a bridge.
