Spain to Morocco in just 5 hours? The undersea tunnel that will transform two continents

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Tunnel Dreams

[{"selector":"#anim-b4b4271a-9537-43a0-99aa-1af8dbbb0ab3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Decades of ambition are now reality—Europe and Africa will soon be linked by a 42-km rail tunnel. Representative pic

Seafloor Link

[{"selector":"#anim-40e3e620-6e06-4780-8ab2-f352b432aaa9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(54.31299596158523%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The route stretches under the Strait of Gibraltar, diving to 475 meters below the ocean’s surface. Representative pic

Time Cutter

[{"selector":"#anim-f175dff5-e854-4f68-821e-0b4137c5f96a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.64910935867357%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Madrid to Casablanca: once a 12-hour trek, soon just 5.5 hours by high-speed rail.

Seismic Gamble

[{"selector":"#anim-ee3bc6b4-2618-44c4-8f18-669e6c0d5665 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.244791571064674%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The tunnel lies on two tectonic plates—experts race to out-engineer potential earthquakes. Representative pic

World Cup Push

[{"selector":"#anim-75059aad-5604-4aba-93c2-724e4d34d18c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The 2030 FIFA World Cup is driving urgency, with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco sharing hosting duties. Representative pic

Billions Pledged

[{"selector":"#anim-845a7245-06b3-47c8-ac9b-4d9a5745b8bb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] With costs between €6B–€15B, this could be one of the most expensive tunnels ever built. Representative pic

Freight Boost

[{"selector":"#anim-31cef045-7f10-4641-9c02-ff5d85bb8ce0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-5.235201623974736%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The tunnel is expected to move over 13M tons of cargo annually—reshaping Euro-African trade routes. Representative pic

Tunneling Giants

[{"selector":"#anim-c1f440dd-53ad-44c3-bea5-3f6a8262ab89 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(38.417980715167104%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Herrenknecht AG, experts behind the Bosphorus crossing, are leading the charge on this extreme build.

Continental Bridge

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