Why Nobody Can Build A Transport Link Between Europe And Africa

[@TheImpossibleBuild]

Can this actually be solved? We're hearing rumors of a potential bridge planned to be built now but we're not so sure on this one

[@Tappygameplay]

Wrong i heard tgere is a underwatrr tunnel planned

[@Cancalılardan]

Building a bridge between Morocco and Spain that allows vehicles and trains to pass is a very easy task nowadays. It is not done because it is not wanted to be done. Just like the bridge between Italy and Sicily that was not built. Solutions to distances and other force problems can be found. As long as it is wanted.

[@JamesTyrrellOnline]

It seems incredibly hard, I've often wondered if a system like the one used for oil platforms is an option, oil rigs are incredibly stable and operate in depths of 500m regularly, or you could build out as far as possible from the coasts and use oil rig like structures for form the central span secured by multiple cables. above and below.

[@CarlosAlberto-ii1li]

They can, now there is a tunnel project.

[@SophiesDriver]

You can't imagine a solution because your imagination sucks.

[@jossdeiboss]

If there was an urgent need for such an infrastructure, they would have probably found a solution. The reality is that there is no real economic benefit or, at least, not big enough to start such a huge project: this is clear by just looking at the flow of ships that go THROUGH the passage. Ships don't go from Africa to Europe and vice versa, but go east-west. All this traffic is basically traffic from Asia to the U.S. and Rotterdam via the Suez canal.

[@oscargregory6153]

I've a feeling there are a lot of European people who wouldn't want a bridge there anyway.

[@emptiester]

Yeah. Like all of them.

[@Kraken_Mybutt]

Gee, wonder why?

[@saeedhossain6099]

well, now that they can't colonize with impunity..... the Algerian shaking off of their French overlords wasn't that long ago.

[@mikep490]

@@saeedhossain6099 Colonization isn't a practical plan any longer. These days it's more like a hoard of illegals hitching a ride. Morocco mostly has the extremists under control for now, but given a chance to enter Europe could make their goal much harder.

[@ZSAZSS09]

​@@emptiesterhow do you know, have you spoken to all the people in Europe? I can't remember having spoken to you about this.

[@ShionWinkler]

The geopolitical issues are the real reason this hasn't happened, and never will.

[@DanyLeeRoth]

Imagine a tunnel or a bridge, millions off citizen from africa will used it to invade in europe.???

[@Catnado5000]

​@@DanyLeeRoth that would sound racist if said in America, but as an American I understand your concern without racism.

[@shaneg9081]

​@Catnado5000 so youre admitting to being racist?

[@Speedgovernor]

Amen brother 🫡

[@Catnado5000]

@@shaneg9081 no more than yourself!

[@exharkhun5605]

The sad truth is that it'd turn Morocco into the largest refugee camp in the world.

[@Nightspyz1]

sounds great to me

[@exharkhun5605]

@@Nightspyz1 Don't worry. One day you'll be fertilizer and you stop feeling guilty about being a waste of time and space to everyone around you.

[@exharkhun5605]

@@Nightspyz1 Don't worry, one day you'll be fertilizer and the quiet guilt you have of being a waste of time and space to everyone around you will finally be over.

[@Ukepa]

yes, I'm sure the muslim oil caliphs would love to finance a new invasion route through spain!!!

[@brainflash1]

Isn't it already?

[@alanmckinnon6791]

The Strait is simply one of those places in the world where a bunch of ferries is the optimal solution

[@FinlagganYT]

Exactly and there is already a fleet of ferries and other well equipped vessels operating on this route

[@amateurcameraman]

And they're not even huge and frequent. Granted, if there were giant ships every hour, full of thousands of people and freight, then maybe you could make a business case for a fixed link. But that's not the reality.

[@JayWalker-tk2pr]

What does a bunch of gay men have to do with it?

[@davidboult4143]

It's called the Straits of Gibraltar, British. So a bridge should be British, and the British could collect a toll fee for every vehicle crossing.

[@entropybentwhistle]

And the budget for ferries would take a very long, long time to burn through 20 billion dollars, even with replacement of vessels every few years. A megaproject doesn’t make any sense, financially.

[@quicksandsavior]

Maybe a zip line instead? Weeeeee

[@Bananaskin101]

😆 gets my vote

[@gorilladisco9108]

Perfection.

[@Dirty_Hamble]

Giant catapult.

[@EnlightnMe48]

I'm on board​@@Dirty_Hamble

[@TheGumpyGump]

@@Dirty_Hamble a trebuchet might be more fun

[@nunyabitnezz2802]

Ferries handle it quite nicely.

[@nunyabitnezz2802]

@@garyb6219 oh, we believe you.

[@stonew1927]

@@nunyabitnezz2802LOL!!

[@Dirty_Hamble]

​@@garyb6219 😂😂

[@cogentdesign]

Or blimps. 🤔

[@nunyabitnezz2802]

@@cogentdesign but ferries are already there, buzzing to and fro

[@StofStuiver]

FAR too many problems to build a bridge or tunnel there. One, not mentioned i believe, is that the African plate is moving to the Eurasian plate at a rate of 3 cm/year. That means any fixed construction would be in trouble in 10 years or something, as expansion/contraction measures, which are always applied to large structures, will be pushed to fail. That means the only technological possibility would be to use a fixed part, to allow for busy shipping there and a flexible, floating part, ankered to the sea floor, but allowing for this tectonic movement. You cant just compare to any other tunnel or bridge, which are all on the same tectonic plate. It matters, a LOT.

[@AliSwanson1728]

LOVE you. Someone acknowledging that it's not climate change changing the planet, it's just the planet doing what it does! No one seems smart enough to remember that at one time, every continent on the planet was one land mass.

[@StofStuiver]

@@AliSwanson1728 Love you too m8. And indeed, the thing you mention is one big hoax. They mention it everywhere now. Even menstruation pain and baldness are now a result of that thing, alledgedly ;]

[@PeloquinDavid]

I've wondered about the bridge over the Bosphorus, though. Doesn't it span the gap between two tectonic plates (as would an undersea tunnel also in the works, I believe)? I have always assumed the Eurasian and Anatolian plates are also continuing to plow into each other. That wouldn't mean the Bosphorus bridge was necessarily a bad idea, mind you. The economic case for it would be massively greater than for a Gibraltar bridge even if the Bosphorus bridge had a usable life of, say, a century or so between full replacements forced by ongoing tectonic shifts.

[@StofStuiver]

@@PeloquinDavid Im no expert on plate tectonics, but the anatolian plate is stated to rotate counter clockwise (being forced by a number of other plates) and moving southwest at a rate of about 2 cm/year. Fixed spanning that would also lead to problems pretty fast imo, although some things can be done if direction is known up to some extent, for instance by sliding segments for a bridge (will be a lot harder for tunnels). The Bosporus itself is sitting on the eurasian plate. And the bridge at for instance Lapseki in the Dardanalles is sitting on the anatolian plate. So both these do not span different plates. I dont know any that do, which is why i pointed out it will most likely cause problems relatively early in the lifespan of a bridge or tunnel, which normally last a minimum of 50 years to make it economically viable to build them, but often stand for 100, or 100s of years.

[@PeloquinDavid]

@@StofStuiver Thanks for this. I see now that the Bosphorus is still technically on the Eurasian side of the northern Anatolian fault. But it's awfully close to that fault system and the entire region - all the way under the Black Sea and across to Crimea - is (like the Anatolian plate itself, though to a lesser degree) under significant pressure from the advancing Arabian plate, it appears. But you're undoubtedly right that the rotation of the Anatolian plate into the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean means the pressures that would lead to buckling of the land the Bosphorus bridges are built on would be a lot less than that of the advancing African plate plowing northward through what I presume is still mostly oceanic crust between Morocco and Gibraltar. So your point about the particularly challenging tectonic environment for a Gibraltar bridge certainly seems well founded...

[@James_Knott]

Just wait a few million years and let plate tectonics close the gap. Problem solved! 🙂

[@luisantos1996]

Its moving sideways but the movement can change, already happened in the past.

[@joelluongo7419]

Geeeeeeez.. and I thought I had enough foresight.

[@envitech02]

Not a question of money or technical difficulty. It is against the entire EU's interest to build it. They already have enough problem as it is already. You know why.

[@JamesTyrrellOnline]

you know most immigration comes from planes and the direction of the middle east ... right? The newspapers just show the boats because it's a human tragedy.

[@hemusbull]

With UK?

[@NoiseCrusader]

So it's in their interest to build it and money is not a problem you say? So why isn't it build then?

[@gentrelane]

​@NoiseCrusader because the eu wants to continue to exploit african continental resources but doesn't want to face the blowback of the migration caused by exploitative extraction and everything that it entails (political upheaval, pollution, conflict)

[@rongendron8705]

I think that you meant (it is "in" the entire EU's interest)! Your statement is a "double negative", but I agree with you!

[@veronicaroach3667]

Thing is if they do decide to build the connection it would mean completely changing the existing import/export routes of all of Europe & Africa if they want the use of this thing to give enough return on the investment. How many actual routes would benefit from moving their goods via Africa's north coast for instance. I don't see it as worth doing myself - in order for goods to get to the bridge or tunnel they would have to traverse multi-miles of land to get there, and while Spain to Africa might be useful for European exports, I don't see the ME/Asian imports into Europe benefitting from this, unless Morocco or other N. African countries are huge exporters of goods to Europe. Nobody is going to drive right across N. Africa to get to this bridge or tunnel IMO ! Ultimately as African nations improve their trade systems they would be the beneficiaries of course.

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

You are wise.

[@gorilladisco9108]

Which import/export route?

[@Imaboss8ball]

It would probably cause Africa to build tons of rail and road to that bridge. Even if the African nations can't afford to do it themselves China would probably pay for it with their belt and road initiative.

[@mattbosley3531]

So a ferry isn't a transport link? Because there are ferries between Spain and Morocco, France and Morocco and Italy and Tunisia. Your title isn't very accurate.

[@Talking_Ed]

It's even more environmentally friendly than a shitty giant bridge that will last 20 years then crumble

[@thorr18BEM]

​@@Talking_Ed the big bridges where I live have been standing for over 100 years.

[@victorvirgili4447]

@@thorr18BEMDoes your bridge span the boundary between two tectonic plates?

[@thorr18BEM]

@@victorvirgili4447 No, I don't think so. (They're on the ring of fire and over two plates, one plate subducted under the other and still moving.)

[@JetskiDex]

Building a bridge or a tunnel there is totally unnecessary.

[@EnlightnMe48]

Ty

[@KrigRT]

Totally?

[@EnlightnMe48]

@@KrigRT yup, totally. I must concur.

[@horrifyinggelatinousblob]

Having a land connection with Africa would be a death sentence for Europe

[@YOUR-WORD-IS-YOUR-BOND]

If you look under water. You will see they are connected. That part is just under the water..

[@deusdex1186]

Our elites are conducting that death sentence as we speak. They're just doing slightly slower than would happen if we were connected to Africa.

[@martijnhazendonk9087]

​@@YOUR-WORD-IS-YOUR-BOND Isn't any continent linked by that logic?

[@Mentos6]

Just bridge the gap with a parallel universe. Find an uninhabited universe where there is a land bridge between them, and build portals to and from it on either side. Problem solved.

[@hectorae86]

Problem is though, we'd need to find a way to setup receivers in the other universe... Which of course is super easy to do these days in an inhabited universe since we can just communicate with the other side.... We'd need to find out how to get a matter receiver on the other side.

[@JLvatron]

So the solution is Sliders!

[@thegreyfolk]

Far more worthwhile projects to address before this needs considering. Even if it could be done that doesn't mean it SHOULD be done.

[@tudorjason]

This topic, along with a few others related, was meant as a curiosity to create links between all continents, except for Antarctica. Two others were a bridge across the Bering Straight to link Alaska and Russia, and another to link New York and London via an underwater tunnel. These topics, and some similar ideas, were part of a show with a couple iterations: Extreme Engineering, Building the Impossible, and Build It Bigger. I think a few episodes are posted on YT.

[@evanhughes3027]

That's good info. I'll bet most of the traffic on a Bering strait bridge would be brown bears and indigenous dudes /dudettes fishing off it. Worthy, but maybe not economically viable.

[@garryperrin2408]

I like the colorful topography, ocean currents.

[@porkrind3512]

This has saved Europe for thousands of years. Up until recently.

[@shaneg9081]

Yeah, Spain totally wasn't ruled for 700 years by people who crossed over from Africa without a bridge or tunnel

[@deusdex1186]

@@shaneg9081 People we should have the sense to keep out to this day. Unfortunately we forget the lessons of the past.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Gratifyingly greater percentage of grown up engineering based comments so far and even better, there are very few shout them down angry rants jumping on to the backs of those who do mention the mass movement of people. At present I'd say that such a bridge is still within the realms of a solution looking for a problem. Of course, it could be a case of Build it and they will come. But for now and having read every comment, I tend to agree that the flow of commerce tends to be at 90° to any bridge. Neither Europe nor Africa imports and exports vast quantities of goods on the polar axis, most traffic is East - West. Unless and until the continent of the future that is Africa begins to realise its huge potential, the present state of solution looking for a problem will annoyingly remain.

[@mikefox1932]

No problem, don't build it

[@nswtrains3153]

It is a problem, I’m guessing you don’t get it

[@fucksusan420]

​@@nswtrains3153your the only person here who lacks understanding

[@jameschapman6559]

I saw your comment and stopped listening to the video. Thanks 👍

[@jayanthlaxman9188]

EXACTLY

[@Matts_Ancient_Coins]

Ignorant comment

[@jackgammon4084]

Here's an idea: what about a *flying* bridge held up by spaced out hot air balloons.

[@possisvideos]

of course it could be built. but we Europeans dont want another route for millions of migrants.😮

[@johanalejandrocazadordepin7225]

You are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT

[@zarategabe]

migrants that are leaving their home countries because their home countries have been wrecked by European imperialism. The chickens have come home to roost

[@Mitalayeka]

Yes you're right but with very low birth rates and higher taxes Western countries have no choice, it will happen slowly but in less than 50yrs most of the western countries will be full of brown people compared to what its now, hyper capitalism and the law courts have a hand in it.

[@mizu7662]

Its hilarious you think a single bridge would cause a notable increase. You know its pretty damn easy to regulate a single bridge, right? I guess Europe isn't sending its best people to this comment section.

[@possisvideos]

​@@mizu7662 You're not European, right? I am German and I can assure you that we have a lot of migration-friendly rules here, e.g. if a migrant shouts "ASYL", he is taken to a special asylum centre. A decision is then made in a long, complicated procedure as to whether or not they will be granted asylum. It then takes 2 years (on average) to decide whether the migrant is suffering from war or human rights violations, which is usually not possible because the migrants burn their passports and make false statements. After that, it is almost impossible to get rid of him if he is one of the 88% who only come for social welfare (Germany offers the highest amounts in Europe...). In most cases, the countries of origin do not take the migrants back, either because they have committed crimes or because they transfer part of the social welfare back to the country to support the family, which of course helps the states.

[@ericgsch]

What about the immigration nightmare, with all the check stations required?

[@zarategabe]

an immigration nightmare caused by European imperialism

[@jt5765]

I can't think or a worse proposal for Europe's cultural & economic wellbeing than the construction of a bridge or tunnel as set out in this video. African nations need to build themselves up using their own resources. Europe has enough issues integrating the relatively small amount immigrants it already receives compared to the influx a project like this would enable.

[@Imaboss8ball]

Their own resources that are often under the control of foreign corporations/nations?

[@jt5765]

@@Imaboss8ball if the African country has sold access/control over said resources to foreign bodies that's the governments fault. African people should take it up with their likely corrupt leadership.

[@andreschusan6086]

I went on a solo-backpacking-adventure to Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Tarifa and a swift ferry ride (no, not that one) to Morocco for eleven days and back to Tarifa. The final city in my expedition was Sevilla. My sabbatical was an unforgettable and monumental. If there is a bridge between España & Morocco, It will definitely not be for the faint of heart. The Spaniards are complaining about Tourists imagine migrants from all over Africa maybe even, Wakanda.

[@drm6007]

I spent time studying the in Spain and almost weekly, I'd read about dead illegals coming from Morocco washed ashore in Spain. No bridge work fine.

[@GaryBickford]

The Troll oil/gas drilling platform was 472 meters in height, and was sited in 303 meters of water offshore from Norway. At the time, it was the tallest structure ever moved. Over time, it has sunk 36 meters into the subsea surface. A similar structure could be the basis for a bridge. However, the cost would be astronomical, with each tower costing as much as $1 billion or more. There would also be some issues with ecosystems, as various plant and animal species could migrate over the bridge, either autonomous or carried by vehicles.

[@donnalayton6876]

I say forget bridge or tunnel. Leave as is.

[@simonm7133]

Estimates to build it from 5-20 billion dollars? You taking the pi$$?? You can double or triple that amount as unforeseen technical problems will inevitably arise . The actual cost of building the Channel Tunnel (9 billion UK pounds in 1994 - equivalent to 22 billion today) was almost double its original estimate of 5 billion UK pounds. Crossrail in London to link the west of the Capital to the east by rail tunnel was estimated to cost 14 billion pounds and ended up costing 24 billion largely due to the technical challenges of the project. The cost of the 'Big Dig' road tunnels in Boston overran by over 190%.

[@iworkout6912]

Costs are adjusted every year, so a estimated cost is useless. Look at the high speed rail California is building to someday connect San Francisco to LA. Original cost was somewhere abound 24 billion. Now the cost for just a short section is over 100 billion and rising. If it is ever completely built, it will be probably over 200 billion. A lot of money for a train track that is suppose to be affordable to everyone.

[@MatthewGroff-qd7mq]

Don't forget the weather, it can cause significant delays as well. Also, don't forget if there are any problems with obtaining materials, equipment, workers, and other needed supplies, that can also cause delays and significantly set a project back by not only weeks or even months, but years in some instances!!

[@wrath231]

Bridge is a dumb idea.

[@EnlightnMe48]

Ty

[@J3scribe]

It can be built one way or another. But it's cost prohibitive and totally pointless.

[@SpiritmanProductions]

They already have ferries. However, a fleet of huge drones, each carrying a shipping container, would be quicker.

[@kankerbende]

And how much energy would it take for that drone to lift a container ??!! Can you imagine how dangerous it will be if there would be flying containers over this small channel ? And the why would we need it, the only products from Morocco are refugees ?!!! So please, keep them away from Europe ! Whe have already way to much from this Muslim super humans !

[@maxaafbackname5562]

For containers time is not an issue. Ships are perfectly for containers, compared to costs.

[@clarkkent7973]

is there a great amount of trade between Europe and North Africa that could be sent over a transport link?

[@thorr18BEM]

There was before Europe annihilated Carthage 😊

[@passatboi]

“Comparable?” It would have to be twice as long as the bay bridge!

[@ottifantiwaalkes9289]

And no island in the middle to aid support

[@systemBuilder]

And the bay bridge has an island 1/3rd of the way across!

[@qtdcanada]

Have you followed the news for the last 5+ years about boatloads of illegal migrants landing in Italy, Greece, Spain, etc. and the resulting social tensions in those and other European countries? Why would any European country (or the whole EU for that matter) want to import lawlessness from Africa, a continent long wracked by civil wars/military coups/economic mismanagement, etc.? Not every issue is a (purely) technical/construction problem, even if such construction project is feasible technically.

[@MrMirville]

Bring back the Qaddhafis : they offered to the Africans who migrated into Libya better living conditions and pays than anywhere in Europe provided they work (mostly in construction) and work they did.

[@gorilladisco9108]

Spain doesn't need additional doctors and engineers. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@animateddepression]

Spain has enough AIDS?

[@rashidisw]

But Israel want Spain to absorb soon to be expelled palestinians, and to do so without increasing anti semit sentiment ruckus.

[@noidea3177]

I guess Africa can keep all their astronauts, too, bigot.

[@tylermanzi2190]

We just need an idea how 1 use vehicle ships going back and forth. 2 fill a thin line of durt to add a highway on both sides, meeting in middle to where it has the ships' water path separate them with 2 open/ closed bridges. 3 a floating bridge with an open and closed ship path separation in middle that is flexible and strong against winds and water and earthquake mabye lol

[@briansimon4363]

My nephew has swum across the Straits of Gibraltar.👍🏻

[@MegaXsample]

And this is relevant to the story why...?

[@ryjack86]

The width of the straight is over double the distance from SF to Oakland. I’m not certain what measurements this narrator is using.

[@jackgammon4084]

Strait not Straight

[@jeremykraenzlein5975]

The water flows primarily into the Mediterranean Sea to replace what the Mediterranean loses through evaporation? Doesn't water also evaporate off of the Atlantic? I understand that the Atlantic is deeper so it probably loses a smaller percentage of it's volume to evaporation, but it would also sometimes rain over both bodies of water, and rain on the Mediterranean (and rivers that feed into it) would also have a greater impact on replenishing it due to it being not as deep. I would also think that tidal action would be dominant over all of these effects.

[@richardbenke9687]

Instead of making something that vehicles and people can go through, start with something that only needs to accommodate shipping containers.

[@JoeyBozify]

It will NEVER happen!!! The amount of money needed is more then enough to build state of the art ports on both sides and ran ships across for next 500 years

[@BlackRoostar-cf2yv]

Not about imaginary money, they don't want africa getting easy access to Europe

[@georgebodley8068]

odd that im sure people said that about the euro tunnel. Oh and don't forget the bridge between ukraine and crimea.

[@12tanuha21]

⁠​⁠@@georgebodley8068 But the Euro Tunnel and Crimera Bridge are not plates crossing

[@mikep490]

If there's a major need for transport then more and larger ferries could fill the gap. Currently there is maybe one crossing per month. The distance across Lake Michigan is twice the time and yet daily crossings are made. Currently ships are the cheaper alternative.

[@starstencahl8985]

One crossing per month? There are ferries every 2 hours from Spain just to one of the major ports in morocco alone

[@mikep490]

@@starstencahl8985 Sorry. I was quoting the company that owns the ferries in Morocco. It did sound infrequent.

[@calgacusofcaledonia]

Sounds like Spain has been dodging a bullet for decades…can’t say I blame them.

[@jhonma5122]

Actually, Africans have been dodging the bullet. Less herpes.

[@inigosanzhierro2459]

Not really, one way or another we are getting flooded with illegal immigrants and most of them are criminals, they are destroying the country and we were already screwed with our own corrupt politicians

[@marksavage1108]

Build bridges at either side and do a 5 mile tunnel for a shipping lane in the middle.

[@HolySoliDeoGloria]

5:05 "a height of at least 100 meters"? The highest air drafts are not much more than 72 meters. I don't think that a bridge would have to plan for a clearance of almost 30 meters (almost 100 feet) over the tallest ships.

[@lajya01]

I don't live in this region but I don't think the amount of trade between Morocco and Europe justify it. The rest of African trade is just too far away, inaccessible and even dangerous by road from that point.

[@howardcohen2767]

How about a fleet of extra-wide ships outfitted as parking lots and train segments of a dozen connected cars. You load on and turn off your vehicle. Then you go to a lounge/shopping area. When you get your the other side, you drive off onto a road. Because they are ships, there are no bridge engineering issues. And it can scale either way need and be financed through usage fees.

[@htimsid]

It's possible. But neither sensible nor required.

[@Ptolemy_K]

There's a guy named Rick down in Casablanca. He can build it pretty cheap, I hear.

[@jeskoumm]

“If there were ever an economical effort to build a bridge, the climactic vision shifted centuries ago….To bridge the gap, the future would need to drive commerce into the area….Admittedly, living on a grand desert is a lifestyle mostly approachable by people already realising a lifestyle commendable to beach life, where frankly, tourism sustains as a not so ideal base for development on such expansive grounds, where unsustainable tides - Middle Eastern strip as a scorching topic - may change popularity for resort and village towns over to friendlier economic regions upon holiday travels.”

[@TheBlueWhiteNight]

Upside-Down Water Train is my idea.

[@thestormcrafter]

Just build a wormhole from one side to the other. Problem solved.

[@MrMirville]

I would choose a not too expensive solution : a bridge supported by boats. I would be flexible enough not to be disturbed by the formidable current, and also to be opened at times to allow the passing of big super-ships. Boat bridges of several kilometers were built by generals of antiquity.

[@JacobBax]

100.000 ships per year is 274 each day, is 11 each hour.

[@suryia6706]

Why Not? - think Scott-Keyes Bridge. That's why not

[@longblacktrain411]

Floating bridge, ship access on the steepest height for ship traffic.....we have 2 major ones here in WA State.

[@rexhansen2766]

Why not massive fairy ships to transport cars, trucks and containers. Look how fast containers can be loaded in Singapore.

[@william2k]

It's never an engineering problem. Finance and political problems will kill it faster than any lack of ability

[@StofStuiver]

It is. The African plate is moving to the Eurasian plate at 3cm/year. Not possible to build a fixed structure spanning it. I was hoping this would be the first thing mentioned, but its not mentioned at all. Instead the maker of video is comparing to bridges and tunnels that are all on the same tectonic plate.

[@januzi2]

I'm pretty sure that you shouldn't be afraid of the ships with the name "Evergreen" on the side. We all know they are typically stuck in the Suez canal.

[@HailAnts]

It will *NEVER* happen. Put it this way: If there were still a land bridge between Spain and Morocco it would have enormous fortress walls built on it throughout history. The Straight is not a barrier, it is a natural defense. For both sides, but especially mostly for Europe. Now more than ever!

[@sesshoumarusama7397]

Europe wasted 700 billion on rescuing banks, ... now suddenly a measly 20 billion for a tunnel should be an issue? Make me laugh....

[@johnnyraven4217]

You can build a number of side by side ferry docks on each side and construct several ferries for way less than $20B. Forget about the $5B estimate . And building a bridge across a tectonic boundary is insane. Not to mention the depth of the bridge piers. A bridge is not happening. Nor should it.

[@sherlock1895]

This sounds like a very very bad idea. Cheers!

[@lilshaolinboy]

If there was land, they'd want a canal. Can't satisfy.

[@AldenRogers]

A long chain of free floating and overlapping pontoon bridge sections could certainly be used. It wouldn't be cheap, but it could be done.

[@jaykiknavenaga2121]

I am just wondering, if ships can float, is it not possible to make a bridge that also floats?

[@guynorth3277]

(1:05) Mackinaw Bridge at the Straits of Mackinaw - Northern Michigan; Aurora Borealis Highlighting the states gem.

[@frederickjohn2659]

The Ferry system there is really quite good...problem solved ;)

[@elessartelcontar9415]

They need another Chunnel. They did it from the UK to France across the English Channel years ago and it was much longer at 31.5 miles than the mere 8 miles across the Strait of Gibraltar which is 2,953 feet deep, much deeper than the 574 feet deep English Channel. Perhaps the depth is daunting for some reason.

[@egbluesuede1220]

Cost isn't an issue. A $5B football stadium was just built. $5B-$25B is nothing if there were an economic benefit to this. There just isn't a need for this and that is why it hasn't happened. It can be done, but WHY?

[@FinlagganYT]

There’s already a fleet of ferries and ships operating this route which is much cheaper, faster and safer

[@Majinsome]

Build a wall instead…

[@jhonma5122]

True. African doesn't want more herpes.

[@thecontentlesschannel5239]

That's called a dam

[@racookster]

I spent some time in Gibraltar. Some of my friends took a ferry across the strait because they hated the idea of being so close to Casablanca without seeing it. I was low on money, so I didn't go. When they got back, they were depressed. They didn't think the trip had been worth it and said I was smart for saving my money. I'd guess it has something to do with that.

[@jawedmanowar657]

Ask the Chinese engineers, they shall its inst impossible 😂

[@dejannincic9671]

And it will last for about 10 years at best

[@nageshmr5209]

@@dejannincic9671you lousy fellow it will last for centuries

[@dejannincic9671]

@@nageshmr5209 best joke I heard today

[@Clarence_Oddbody]

A tunnel would likely require a massive breakwater at the mouth of the strait to stabilize the inbound current, which could be 10 times the cost of the tunnel itself.

[@wambugukingori]

Is there any economic incentive?

[@StofStuiver]

nah. There could be, along the coast towards nigeria. Sahara is a problem. No decent roads after Morocco and building them means constant maintenance in removing sand. Then once passed, you get to tropical forest and far from optimal roads for quite some time aswell. Not worth it to only do it for Morocco. Entire north Africa also not. Its faster by ship. Also, Russia China, Iran are unlocking a trade route north south, to the east of Africa, which is then connected to the new east-west 'silk' road.

[@jackgammon4084]

Yes, the UK is running low on pizza delivery professionals.

[@eligualtieri1612]

Yeah, for the “migrants” invading Europe! 😂

[@SageKasuto]

My idea was the underwater tube. But of course, it would have the problems of all those currents

[@apok1980]

Time will make it possible. The African continent continues to have many rapid growing economies. Expanding and mature economies need the infrastructure to sustain it. At the same time, I think we’re rounding the curve technology wise to make this much more feasible. The geopolitical issue in my opinion is minor once the financial benefit and obstacles become more pronounced. The amount of trade would be significant for both Europe and Africa and Spain and Morocco would add life changing revenue to both countries.

[@johncampbell4389]

Instead of $100 dollar bills, you should be using 100 Euro bills... and the equivalent corresponding money from the other end of the link... Also I have noticed the altered Bayoone Bridge... so is there a reasonable ferry linking the continents?

[@DeepMyst_Music]

Catapult style travel solutions 〰️ through the air

[@peterhawkins4612]

Roll on roll off large scale ferries and dedicated terminals would have to be a way cheaper more flexible option.

[@TheRealStructurer]

Interesting video with low information density. Can easily skip the first 3 minutes. Thanks for sharing though 👍🏼

[@abhijeetdeshpande1057]

Yes a bridge can be easily created. By utilization of military bridges customized and with ballast tanks. Another point is to connect the bridges by automated systems and utilization of these bridges to create lanes for shipping traffic

[@eddieburk9153]

It's because it's Africa. If it was any other region or continent it would have been built already

[@akaymuyoyeta8297]

Yet they're the same people who've proposed a transatlantic tunnel connecting USA to Europe across an ocean🤢🤮🤮🤮

[@Lucas24997]

It is more because the strait is one of the biggest strategic maritime areas in the World, and risking even just an slow down of the global trade to connect North Africa with Europe is not worth it.

[@eddieburk9153]

@@Lucas24997 I bet China could figure it out. they use to be famous for stealing tech, now they've proven they can build just about anything

[@Alnakera]

To skip the intro, jump to 3:10

[@Majinsome]

Why would you even want to??

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

The “why” starts at 3:12.

[@josephmurphy1509]

How the hell are they all going to drown on a Bridge??

[@cjaus]

One should construct a swimming bridge.

[@davidgeorge237]

Bridge makes no sense. . The formidable costs are not worth the benefit of linking Europe to waaay north west area of Africa. Not counting the ship traffic considerations.

[@iggyrlk]

It's about inexpensive travel and ease of transit. You can launch drone planes with a cheap elastic launch system. There are many ways to make short flights cheaper. Speed is not cheap

[@mohammedtanjaoui4198]

For those who say that this project will not happen because of the economical disparity between Europe and Africa, because of fear of illegal immigration…. Think about it. This transit will be much easier to control than the vast shores separating the two continents where pateras can roam between the two sides (still Morocco is doing a great effort here and this illegal immigration is well controlled at this point). I think this project will see the light eventually, and I won’t be surprised if the work (not the inauguration) start before 2030. It is unfortunate we are not going to see this marvel completed before the 2030 Morocco-Spain-Portugal joint World Cup.

[@vladwlad8348]

THE MODULAR FLOATING BRIDGE.

[@AlphaNanite]

Using ships like one of those old bridges that would spin?

[@MrMcgooOG]

Maybe they don't want guests bringing their beautiful culture to Europe

[@Garnovich]

8:35 wow thats cheap! Can we get those guys to come build the Third Link for Quebec City?

[@nurabsal0x018c]

you talked me out of it after about 3 minutes

[@duanenavarre7234]

one old plan was to dam it and use it for massive power generation, and build the bridge on top of that, ships could pass through a lock.

[@benqurayza7872]

There are better alternative uses for the investment funds and engineering talent required for this project.