Hi, well this is all i've got at the moment:


Saudi Arabia and Egypt are planning to establish a causeway across the Red Sea to link the port of Diba with the Egyptian port of Sharm Al Sheikh, Egyptian Transport Minister Essam Sharaf said.

The project is estimated to cost $3 billion.

In a Press statement, he said that implementation of the project would depend on technical studies which are currently underway.

Upon completion of the project, the causeway will facilitate the transportation of pilgrims, Umrah performers, tourists and commodities.

I doubt anything will come of this. Every once and a while the idea has mooted. But it's a none starter.
Duba and Sharm aSheikh are very far away from each other. The only feasable route for a bridge would be over the straights of Tiran, and that's a political minefield and so will never happen. In any case, there's very little political will in the Saudi side for such a project. Like the bridge with Bahrain, it's a given that Saudi is expected to stump up all the capital for a project in which they're not the economic beneficiary. In any case, there's little economic justification for such an expensive venture. It would be one of longest bridges in the world, and will cross pretty deep waters. And for what, how much traffic will it generate?

But as a concept. A nice suspension bridge over the straights of Tiran would be fantastic. But it's unrealistic.

Is it really needed ? I don't think it justifies the potential traffic, which can be easily answered with ferries .

agree with telavivi

but the saudis have to blow that oil money on something

i disagree the cause way will add alot to the economy, tourism and local business of both countires especially in Hajj session

What money to blow? Most of the surplus is going to servicing the public debt.

And any economic benefit this project has, will mostly benefit Egypt. The cost-conscious Hajj pilgrims will still take the ferry unless there are no tolls on the bridge (highly unlikely). The main benefit will be to the Egyptian tourism industry. It makes Sharm aSheikh and other resorts more accessible.

Ferry Tragedy Revives Demand for Red Sea Causeway
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

JEDDAH, 9 February 2006 — Egypt is promoting a $3 billion causeway across the Red Sea linking the country’s Sharm Al-Sheikh resort with Saudi Arabia’s northwestern Duba port. This follows the recent ferry tragedy that claimed hundreds of Egyptian and tens of Saudi lives.

“Implementation of the causeway project has now become essential to avoid marine transport tragedies and the long wait of Egyptian pilgrims for ships at Saudi ports,” Egyptian Transport Minister Muhammad Mansour said.

The project was first made public two years ago when the Egyptian transport minister at the time said the two countries were planning to establish a causeway across the Red Sea to facilitate transportation of pilgrims, tourists and cargo. The minister added that the project would cost $3 billion and its implementation would depend on technical studies.

Tabuk Governor Prince Fahd ibn Sultan referred to the project last year when he met Amr Al-Dabbagh, governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority.

“There were intensive negotiations between Saudi and Egyptian officials on the causeway in the past,” Al-Madinah Arabic daily quoted Mansour as saying.

Talks on the project came to the fore again this week after the Al-Salam Boccaccio 98 sank as it sailed from Duba in Saudi Arabia to the Egyptian port of Safaga.

Al-Madinah also quoted Egyptian government sources as saying that Cairo would present the project, which will take three years to complete, to Arab and non-Arab investors in order to implement it quickly. Nearly 1.3 million people, mostly low-income Egyptians and Saudi tourists, use ferries to travel between the two countries in a year.

Great news. It would be nice to drive on weekends to sharm el shaikh :)

How long would it be though??

It's not financially feasable.

It's not a simple bridge to build. It's a long distance: 15km straight line, or 2 spans of 7km if you go via Tiran island (making overall distance ~18km). It crosses busy shipping lanes and it is in an environmentally sensitive area (which is particularly important to Egyptian tourism: damaging the reefs would be a big blow to the diving business). So I imagine it would have to be a complex and costly bridge (or bridge system). Which would be fine if you have sufficiently high ridership numbers, but I have my doubts. It's in the middle of nowhere. Very little civilisation within driving distance.

I would love to see a beautifull suspension bridge built though.

I think it can be built. People in other parts of the world are planning to bridge the huge Berring Strait between Asia and North America so the Red Sea is no biggie. The Berring Strait is not only huge but has icebergs, freezing temperature, and goes from nowhere to nowhere.

mate no one is going to bridge the berring strait in our lifetime, but regardless, I think a Red Sea bridge would be a vital route between North Africa and Asia that would finally allow the transfer of goods via roads and sans Israel.

The third thread on ssc about this topic:tongue2:
I support this plan, it would be great to drive from Egypt to SA directly.

JEDDAH 3 june,06_ A senior egyptian official yesterday emphasized the significance of the proposed $3-billion saudi-egyptian causeway project,saying it would help link the African and Asian continents and facilitate the traffic of pilgrims and workers to the Kingdom.
Fouad Abdul Aziz Khaleel advisor to the Egyptian transport minister and chairman of arab roads Administration,said the project could be carried out within three years with the support of specialized international companies without ancurcing any expenditure for saudi arabia and egypt.
Khaleel expressed his hope that companies envolved in the project,developing the causeway on a build-operate-transport basis,could recuperate thier investment within a decade from its completion date.He did not say whether the two countries had reached any agreement on implementing the project.
He said the causeway would be constructed between saudi sinai in egyept and Ras Humaid in saudi arabia with a lenght of 23 kilometers and would reduce the transportation time between the two countries to 20 minutes."it will olso lessen the difficulties of the workers traveling between the two continents,"Al-Jazeerah daily quoted Khaleel as saying.
The ferry tragedy that claimed hundreds of Egyptian and tens of saudi livesin February revived interest in the causeway project,which has been considered in the past.In a statement soon after the tragedy, Egyptian transport minister Muhammad Mansour said the implementation of the causeway project had become essential to avoid marine transport tragedies.
The project was first made public two years ago when the egyptian transport minister at the time said the two countries were planing to establish a causeway across the Red sea to facilitate transportation of pilgrims,tourists and cargo.Tabuk governor Prince Fahd Ibn Sultan referred to the project last year when he met Amr Al-Dabbagh,govrnor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Athority.
Al-Madinah daily quoted Egyptian government sourses as saying that Cairo woul present the project to Arab and non Arab investors in order to implement it quickli.Between 50,000 to 70,000 Egyptians go on the annual pilgrimage to Makkah and an estimated 1.2 million Egyptians work in the Arabian Penisula,mainly as construction workers.
"This project never really left the drawing board,but it is totally feasible.The bridge wouldn't be too long and the relatively shallow sea in that area allows for such construction".Said Ibrahim Kamel,an Egyptian architect and Buisnessman.

3 years is not so long............

it can be built, after all Canada has a 12.9 km bridge called the Confederation bridge connecting the provinces of PEI with New Brunswick. Doubt it would be a suspension bridge, probably pontoons
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/5971/confederationbridgewholelength.jpg

the problem is that the red sea is unbeleivably deep by the way, and fyi, it is considered as a red zone for earthquakes...

GCC, I don't think that it will be built over the read sea. I think it will be over the Gulf of Aqaba to connect the village of Haql to Sina.

Interesting.

just let us try to stay on the topic

the problem is that the red sea is unbeleivably deep by the way, and fyi, it is considered as a red zone for earthquakes...

so are earthquakes common in jeddah?

GCC, I don't think that it will be built over the read sea. I think it will be over the Gulf of Aqaba to connect the village of Haql to Sina.

doubt it, anything crossing the gulf of aqaba inadvertently blocks of the straits of Tiran which is protected for Israeli shipping from Eilat, Egypt/Saudi's would hafta negotiate with Israel fora bridge

If egyptians can drive from Sinai across southern Israel to Saudi Arabia, we shall not need such a causeway.

from sanai to sothern israel to jordan and then to saudi arabia

Saudi-Egyptian Causeway to Link Two Continents
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

JEDDAH, 3 May 2007 — During his visit to the Kingdom’s northern region next week, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is expected to launch a number of important projects, including the long-awaited Saudi-Egyptian Causeway which will link the continents of Asia and Africa.

The Saudi monarch, who is visiting the region for the first time since becoming king in 2005, will also open the project for the construction of Tabuk University. The first phase of the project will cost about SR1 billion ($375 million) and include 16 colleges.


Informed sources said King Abdullah would lay the foundation stone for the 50-km causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The causeway will be built in three years at a cost of $3 billion. It will link Ras Humaid in Tabuk with Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt and pass through Tiran Island. A consortium of Saudi, Egyptian and international companies will implement the project without causing financial liability to either government, the sources said.

Tabuk Gov. Prince Fahd ibn Sultan previously discussed the feasibility of the project with Amr Al-Dabbagh, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority.

“The causeway has been the dream of most Egyptians since it was first proposed about 10 years ago,” said Ali Masoud, an Egyptian journalist working in the Kingdom. He said the causeway would not only facilitate transport between the two countries but would also link the Asian and African continents. “It will have a great socio-economic and political impact on the region,” Masoud said.

“Many Saudi businessmen will support the project as it will facilitate transportation of goods, especially vegetables, between the two countries,” Masoud said, adding that the project would help bring down vegetable prices in the Kingdom.

He said the project would also strengthen relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the two most influential countries in the region. “The causeway will benefit many countries in the Gulf and Africa and will bring about a dramatic change in transportation between the two continents,” he explained.

Fouad Abdul Aziz Khaleel, adviser to the Egyptian transport minister and chairman of the Arab Roads Administration, said the causeway could be completed within three years with the support of specialized international companies. Khaleel expressed the hope that companies involved in the project, developing the causeway on a build-operate-transfer basis, could recoup their investment within a decade of its completion. He said the causeway would reduce transportation time between the two countries to 20 minutes. “It will also lessen the difficulties of workers traveling between the two continents,” he added.

The ferry tragedy that claimed hundreds of Egyptian and tens of Saudi lives in February last year revived interest in the causeway project. In a statement soon after the tragedy, Egyptian Transport Minister Muhammad Mansour said the implementation of the causeway project had become essential to avoid marine transport tragedies. Before the El-Salam ferry tragedy, 10 boats were operating between Dhuba and Safaga weekly. Now it has been reduced to two.

Between 50,000 to 70,000 Egyptians go on the annual pilgrimage to Makkah and an estimated 1.2 million Egyptians work in the Arabian Peninsula, mainly as construction workers. “The bridge will not be too long and the relatively shallow sea in that area allows for such construction,” said Ibrahim Kamel, an Egyptian architect and businessman.

construction will start next week!!

hmm..I don't know how I feel about this one..

It will cross the Read Sea? Fantastic project... it shall help economies of both Egypt and KSA. ^^

Its a very promising project. I can just image the thousands of people and buses that are going to use this route. Thousands of Egyptians work in Saudi Arabia and they are going to use the causeway to go to each other country's. At least its safer.

But, I am surprised they say 50 km causeway. The maximum distance between Tiran Island and Sharm El-Sheik is less than 6 kilometers and from Tiran Island to Mainland Saudi Arabia is 2.5 kilometers...

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/7466/sharmde2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

delete

so that project alive coooooool then we dont need to buy ticket around 400$ to egypt:D

Linking the two largest Arab economies together....not a bad idea.

I am back guys :happy: sorry I was very busy in work for last week anyway It is wonderful project since most of egyptians and saudis complain the Jordanian government and how they deal with them.

This is wonderful project for Egypt and Saudi but very bad one for Jordan.

And about Israel, I prefer to go walking instead of putting my feet on israel land.

^^ lol

^^ "Israeli Land"? You mean the occupied land!

^^ exactly

i sure you will find 20 or more Bullets in your budy:D

^^ This is not the problem but I really feel ashamed to accept to put my feet on our occupied land :soapbox:

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak has denied that there are plans to build a 50 kilometre causeway linking Saudi Arabia with the resort of Sharm El Sheikh, according to agency reports. Mubarak said such a plan would damage tourism in the resort and would also be a security threat. Last week, it was reported that Saudi's King Abdullah was all set to launch a $3bn project to build such a link.

The same source that said that the casueway will be constructed has denied the rumour--reportedly quoting presidnet Mubarak as a saying it was a secutity threat!

security threat!!
How can it be a security threat?
And how can it damage the tourism? I thought it would boost the tourism there!!!!!

Link: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12601:egypt-denies-ksa-causeway-plans&Itemid=0

in other word he mean saudi ppl are devils:mad2:

^^ lol no.. in fact he means that Sharm al shikh is for western/american tourists only or let's say 90% of tourists are from there and only 10% are arabs.

That is why it is different level of tourism than other area like alexanderia for example so that he wants to keep it same as it is.

Plus why did you get it in that wrong way? Imagine if there is a causeway, this means 90% of pilgrimes after hajj will go to sharm al shikh for tourism which is really bad for city like sharm al shikh.

Sharm al shikh never can be like newibea in egypt (it is high level standard area)

i 100% disgree with you:nono: so what if it's for western or arab tourists?? they talk only with mony language!!!

90% of pilgrimes after hajj will go to sharm al shikh
what bad about it?of coruse both (saudi arabia & Egypt)will be happy for that

saudi will kick out all pilgrimes after hajj:D

in Egypt that tourism will increases that mean more$$$$$

^^ they believe that Sharm al shikh tourism is high standard tourism and to be same as it is, no more arabs should be there.

I know this is wrong and really I do not agree and if you ask me about my opinion..... I don't like tourism in general.

Egypt Favors Saudi Causeway in Another Spot
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

JEDDAH, 22 May 2007 — Egyptian Tourism Minister Muhamed Zoheir Garana said in comments published yesterday that his country was not against building the Saudi-Egyptian causeway over the Red Sea. “We have not rejected the projected totally,” he said.

However, the minister pointed out that the $3 billion project that would link the Asian and African continents required detailed studies. Garana also said that the causeway would have positive results in many areas.

The minister, nevertheless, objected to building the causeway near the tourist resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, which attracts a large number of foreign tourists every year.

“Linking the two countries is possible in an area other than Sharm El-Sheikh,” he said.

Local Arabic media have reported earlier that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah would lay the foundation stone for the causeway during his recent visit to the northern regions. The reports said the causeway would link Ras Humaid in Tabuk with Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.

A consortium of Saudi and international companies including Saudi Binladin Group, Saudi Oger, Al-Khorafi of Kuwait and Arab Contractors of Egypt has already been formed to carry out the project within the next three years.

The Egyptian minister’s statement while talking to reporters in Riyadh on Sunday gives new hope about the project. “The causeway has been the dream of most Egyptians since it was first proposed about 10 years ago,” said Ali Masoud, an Egyptian journalist working in the Kingdom.

He said the causeway would not only facilitate transport between the two countries but would “have a great socio-economic and political impact on the region.”

“Many Saudi businessmen will support the project as it will facilitate transportation of goods, especially vegetables, between the two countries,” Masoud said. He said the project would also strengthen relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

“The causeway will benefit many countries in the Gulf and Africa and will bring about a dramatic change in transportation between the two continents,” he said.

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=6&section=0&article=96509&d=22&m=5&y=2007

all is rabish..i dont trust theme anymore!

I doubt that Israel would approve of this.

wats israel gotta do with this. it doesn't pass through israeli land or israeli waters.

and, wats the latest on this. last i heard, hosni mubarak said no

^^ Well, Israeli ships will have to pass under this bridge from & to Eilat.

i think this project is cancelled.

yeah long time ago

i hope saudi will not have to pay for the whole thing like it did with bahrain ....its not fair...

Personally I think it's a good project, but after the "NO" of the everlasting president of Egypt <he's been the president since I was born>..
I'd only say (مـآآآآآآآلـت عـليـهوووووووم)