Spain to study seismic risks for Gibraltar tunnel project linking Morocco

Spain to study seismic risks for Gibraltar tunnel project linking Morocco
Saturday 16 November 2024 - 14:11

Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility is moving forward with a seismic study for the proposed tunnel that would link Morocco and Spain through the Strait of Gibraltar. The study is being conducted by the Spanish Association for Fixed Communications Studies, and it aims to assess the seismic risks in the region where the tunnel would be built.

According to sources, the Spanish government has issued a tender to lease four seismic measurement devices for studying the seabed in the Strait. The contract, valued at €487,872, includes an option to purchase the equipment if it meets performance expectations following an initial evaluation.

The goal of the seismic study is to conduct the first risk assessment in the area in a decade, determining whether the tunnel project is feasible. The study will include feasibility assessments, safety evaluations, and budget estimates for the tunnel’s construction, which will be carried out on both the Spanish and Moroccan sides of the Strait.

The contract, officially signed on November 6, specifies that the seismic equipment will be capable of measuring activity up to 6,000 meters below sea level. The devices will initially be leased and will undergo a review by Spain’s Royal Maritime Institute and the Spanish Observatory before any decision to purchase is made.

The Spanish government, along with Morocco, is giving significant attention to the ambitious tunnel project, which is expected to be completed in two phases. If successful, the project could become one of the largest civil engineering undertakings in history.

Spain’s Transport Minister, Oscar Puente, highlighted that several Spanish companies have expressed interest in investing in the tunnel, which he believes could significantly enhance Spain’s role in the region’s transportation infrastructure.

“The tunnel will change the dynamics of logistics, transport, and infrastructure in both countries,” Puente said, adding that Spain’s expertise in high-speed rail could play a crucial role in the development of Morocco’s rail network.

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