Red Sea bridge project resurfaces
Backers hope to calm old concerns with new plans for a bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
CAIRO — Egypt and Saudi Arabia have agreed to build a controversial bridge spanning the Red Sea that proponents say could lead Egypt out of its economic crisis.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced April 9 they will build a bridge that will allow for a commute time between the countries of just 20 minutes. They pointed out that the bridge will connect not only the two countries, but also the continents of Africa and Asia.
The structure, to be named the King Salman Bridge upon Sisi’s proposal, will accommodate road and rail traffic between an area near Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh resort and Ras Humaid in Tabuk, northern Saudi Arabia, across Tiran Island.
The part of the bridge over the sea will measure 7-10 kilometers (4-6 miles), and the structure’s total length will span 50 kilometers (31 miles). The bridge, to be built over seven years, will cost as much as $4 billion. Officials project the trade volume realized through the bridge will reach $200 billion per year.
