Egypt and Saudi Arabia are moving forward with an ambitious plan to construct a $4 billion bridge linking the two continents across the Red Sea.
The project aims to deepen bilateral economic ties and enhance regional integration.
Nicknamed the “Moses Bridge,” this landmark infrastructure will extend approximately 32 kilometres, connecting Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt to Ras Alsheikh Hamid in Saudi Arabia, passing through Tiran Island.
This milestone announcement concludes years of meticulous planning and highlights the strengthening relationship between Cairo and Riyadh.
Egypt’s transport minister, Kamel al-Wazir, announced that the final stages of planning are complete, and the project is now primed for construction.
“We have now completed the planning for the bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia and are ready to implement it at any time, whether a bridge or a tunnel,” he said.
al-Wazir described the Moses Bridge as a strategic corridor between Africa and Asia that would create a direct land route for people and goods.
“With travel time between the two countries expected to drop to as little as 30 minutes by car, the project is poised to revolutionise mobility in the region,” he said.
He further highlighted that the influx of Saudi tourists to Egypt is likely to increase significantly. “One of the most anticipated outcomes is the expected surge in tourism as he predict that the number of Saudi tourists visiting Egypt could increase fourfold from an average of 300,000 annually to more than 1.2 million.”
Additionally, the project is expected to stimulate local economies along the Red Sea coast, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula, a well-known destination for international tourists.
On the commercial side, al-Wazir emphasised the bridge’s importance as a future trade route: “On the trade front, the bridge is projected to become a vital conduit for cargo, especially over the strategically significant Straits of Tiran,” al-Wazir stated.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud praised the project as a “qualitative transformation,” adding that it would boost trade flows between Africa and Asia to “unprecedented levels.”
The Moses Bridge also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader economic agenda. “The Moses Bridge is firmly aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the kingdom’s long-term economic diversification plan aimed at reducing its reliance on oil revenues.”
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, with its emphasis on infrastructure expansion, tourism, and cross-border investments, sees the bridge as an important catalyst. “Infrastructure development, tourism promotion, and cross-border investments are key pillars of the vision, and the bridge fits squarely within these objectives,” Abdulaziz said.
For Egypt, the project is in step with efforts to modernise its transport systems and reaffirm its position as a geopolitical hub linking continents.
However, the proposal is not without challenges. Environmentalists have voiced concerns about the project’s potential impact on the Red Sea’s sensitive marine ecosystems, especially given the rich biodiversity and coral reefs in the Strait of Tiran.
Conservation advocates are calling for comprehensive environmental impact studies before construction begins.
Responding to these concerns, Saudi officials have committed to sustainable building practices that prioritise environmental protection throughout the project’s life cycle.
Although an official construction start date has yet to be announced, Saudi authorities estimate the bridge could take as long as eight years to complete.
“Given the environmental sensitivities and the complex marine terrain, the engineering challenges are expected to be formidable,” Abdulaziz said.
To ensure the bridge’s durability and resilience, planners are considering advanced engineering solutions to address seismic risks and protect local marine life.
Despite the potential hurdles, both governments remain steadfast in their commitment to the project.
The two nations have framed the Moses Bridge as more than just a piece of infrastructure — it is a statement of unity and vision for future regional trade, tourism, and diplomatic cooperation.
Experts believe that once completed, the Moses Bridge will rank among the world’s longest over-water bridges, symbolising a new era of Arab cooperation and infrastructure innovation in the 21st century.
