A HUGE 17-mile underwater tunnel could soon connect Spain to Morocco – 40 years after it was first discussed.
First put forward in 1979, the tunnel would travel between Casablanca in Morocco, and Madrid in Spain.
The tunnel, which would have a train service between the two countries, would link up to Spain‘s high-speed train lines and the high-speed rail between Casablanca and Tangier which opened last year.
The route would depart from Madrid’s main station, with stops in Algeciras, before crossing the Strait of Gibraltar via the tunnel.
It would then stop in Tangier in Morocco, before ending in Casablanca.
If it goes ahead, it could take just 5hr30 to travel between the two cities.
While flights take around two hours, the current driving route takes around 12 hours, including a ferry ride between.
Similar terminals to the Eurotunnel’s in Folkestone and Calais could also be constructed.
Official costs are to be revealed, it is thought it will cost around €6billion (£5.1billion).
Despite being announced decades ago, a new report has reveals plans put together by Morocco’s National Company for the Studies of the Strait of Gibraltar (SNED) and its Spanish counterpart, SECEGSA, who are undertaking surveys in the area.
It hopes to open by 2030, when Spain, Portugal and Morocco host the World Cup.
Raquel Sánchez, the predecessor to Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente, previously said: “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.”
However, a large issue the tunnel could face is trying to find the best route to take.
The shortest distance between the two continents is also the deepest, with water depths up to 900m.
Another issue is the seismic activity in the area, due to the meeting of Eurasian and African plates.
It’s not the only train route hoping to launch in the next few years.
A £2.1billion train route along the coast of Spain hopes to connect Malaga and Marbella.
And a new night train launched last month, connecting Brussels to Prague and taking 15 hours.
Want to stay in the UK? A £35million railway attraction is to open with a train-themed adventure park and ride.
