The truth about the Spain & Morocco tunnel

At Moroccan Sands we have many people asking us about the proposed tunnel between Spain and Morocco. Several less scrupulous agents use the “existence” of the tunnel in their promotional literature, with some even stating that nit will be complete in the next few years!

Tunnel Vision!

So what’s the truth behind all these stories and will the tunnel get built? And if it does what does it mean for Morocco property buyers?

The idea of a tunnel between Morocco and Spain goes back to the early 1980’s when several studies were launched to look at the technical issues surrounding the project. At first a suspended bridge was proposed but the idea was ditched in 1995 due to safety and security concerns.

In 2007 the idea of a tunnel was resurrected during a visit by the Spanish PM to the King of Morocco and late last year new feasibility studies were undertaken for a Europe Africa link. The final results of this study will be announced in Luxembourg on October 13th 2008.

Preliminary results that the tunnel will be near impossible to construct due to the fact that much of the geology of the area is clay with rock, rather than harder solid rock. The project has been described as 300 times more complicated that the Channel Tunnel link between France and the UK.

Both the Spanish and Moroccan governments support the tunnel as a potential transport hub between the two countries with much of the funding coming from the EU and the World Bank.

The tunnel and its trains would carry passengers and goods between Tangier and Punta Paloma near Tarifa in Spain. The total length of the tunnel would be 37.7km, of which 27.2km would pass under the sea bed.

Construction would take place in three stages and cost an estimated $8 billion. Under the current plan the tunnel would enter into operation in approximately 2025 although in reality this date is likely to slip even further back.

So what does this mean for Morocco property investments? In reality it’s too far away to have any appreciable impact on values but more than that it is a very physical sign of the direction in which Morocco is moving – towards Europe and trade with the world and that’s bound to be good for Moroccan property buyers.

For more information go to : http://www.sned.gov.ma