Friday, June 13, 2025
Egypt and Saudi Arabia to build $4 billion Red Sea ‘Moses Bridge’ connecting continents
Egypt and Saudi Arabia are moving forward with plans to build a $4 billion bridge across the Red Sea in an effort to strengthen regional connectivity and commercial links. Most Viewed: Air India plane crash claims the lives of 242 people
The "Moses Bridge," a massive infrastructure project, is set to connect the Egyptian tourist city of Sharm El-Sheikh to Ras Alsheikh Hamid in Saudi Arabia via Tiran Island. The projected span of the bridge is 32 kilometers.
This announcement is an important turning point in the history of the two countries' bilateral relations; it is the result of years of preparation.
The project is now ready for implementation, according to Egypt's transport minister, Kamel al-Wazir. He verified that comprehensive planning has been finalized.
"We are prepared to execute the bridge or tunnel between Egypt and Saudi Arabia at any moment; we have finished the planning," he stated.
His claim is that the Moses Bridge will facilitate trade and travel between Asia and Africa by providing a direct land connection. Recommend: Will the exit re-entry visa cancellation fees be refunded? Jawazat response
He claimed, "The project will soon transform transportation in the region" because it means an expected cut in travel time between the two countries to as little as 30 minutes by automobile.
The predicted boost in tourism is one of the most talked-about results; according to his predictions, the number of Saudi visitors visiting Egypt might quadruple, going from 300,000 to over 1.2 million per annum.
Local economies, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula, a long-time tourist hotspot, are set to take advantage of the benefits of the improved access to Egypt's Red Sea shoreline.
"The bridge is expected to play a crucial role in transporting goods, particularly across the strategically important Gulf of Tiran," said al-Wazir, of the trade front.
The project will increase trade volumes between Africa and Asia to "uncommon levels," according to Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who has praised it as a "qualitative transformation." See Also: Saudization of 41 professions
Saudi Arabia's long-term strategy to diversify its economy away from oil is Vision 2030, and the Moses Bridge is a strong component of that plan.
The bridge is an integral part of the plan, according to Abdulaziz, which aims to promote infrastructure development, cross-border investments, and tourism.
The project is in line with Egypt's goals of modernizing its transportation network and boosting its geopolitical importance as a crossroads between continents.
Environmentalists are opposed to the project, citing concerns that it could do permanent harm to the fragile marine ecosystems of the Red Sea, despite the general support for it.
The proposed bridge would cross the Strait of Tiran, an area famous for its seabird and turtle nesting grounds as well as its coral reefs and marine biodiversity. Most Viewed: Saudi Arabia announces the beginning of new Umrah season
The two administrations are under pressure from environmental groups that want comprehensive EIAs done before moving further.
In response, the Saudi planning team has promised to use eco-friendly building methods and make protecting nature a top priority all through the project's lifespan.
The specific date of construction has not been announced, but according to Saudi officials, the project might take up to eight years to finish.
"Considering the delicate environment and complicated marine landscape, the technical obstacles will prove to be important," Abdulaziz stated. Like and Follow Saudi Expatriates page on Facebook
For the bridge to be structurally sound over the long term, safe for marine life, and able to deal with the frequent earthquakes in the area, innovative design solutions are required.
But neither country is going back on its promise to progress.
With a common goal of regional development and collaboration, the two nations' agreement was that the Moses Bridge represents more than just connectivity; it is a daring declaration of purpose that will shape the future of Middle Eastern diplomacy, tourism, and trade.
Experts agree that once finished, the Moses Bridge will be the longest underwater bridge ever built. It will also serve as a symbol of Arab unity and the vast goals of infrastructure development in the twenty-first century. Follow Saudi Expatriates on Telegram
Egypt and Saudi Arabia to build $4 billion Red Sea ‘Moses Bridge’ connecting continents - Saudi-Expatriates.com
