CAIRO: Egypt has begun studies once again on a new massive bridge connecting the two countries on the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea. The 32-km (19.88 miles)-long causeway is currently back in focus as the two countries reexamine the process in order to work out the details, according to Mohamed Gameel, an official at Egypt's Ministry of Transport. The bridge is expected to link Egypt with Saudi Arabia through the Gulf of Aqaba and Sharm El-Sheikh, located in the Red Sea allowing vehicles to pass in just under 30 minutes time, according to Arab News. Planners say the tariffs paid by millions of Muslims who go on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia could make up for the expected cost of the bridge, which is about $5 billion, according to a report by Spiegel International. The bridge would not only connect the two countries, but it would also mean new partnerships for Egypt at a time when the country's policies are changing to adapt to demands of a people's revolt, explained Alan Fraser, Middle East analyst at AKE Group. "Economic integration of any kind is likely to improve relations, and this move could be a sign of closer diplomatic relations in the future,” said Fraser. “By turning down potential loan deals with the IMF and World Bank, while accepting funding from a number of GCC states, the interim Egyptian regime appears keen to transfer some of its financial reliance to its neighbors in the Gulf." This will be the first time in five years that the two governments have started official discussions regarding the causeway's construction. The idea of the bridge has been surfacing for the past 20 years, however, then-president Hosni Mubarak would put the project on hold for “security reasons” as the Red Sea is a an important access point to the Indian Ocean for Israel and Jordan. Now that Egypt's January 25 popular revolt ousted Mubarak after three decades of rule, the idea is back on the table and previous policies of his regime are slowly being tossed aside. "This is a clear sign that both the Egyptian interim military government and Al-Saud regime see themselves as strategically aligned, and is another snub to the Israeli government, who had previously objected to the project, citing security concerns," said Fraser. According to an official at the Authority of Roads and Bridges in Egypt who spoke on condition of anonymity, the construction of the bridge is now in the hands of Egypt and Saudi Arabia's governments, who will have to work through the “political details” surrounding the project. A spokesman for the Saudi government had told Spiegel: “We won't let anyone discourage us from our construction plans. The Strait of Tiran lies in international waters." Alaa Ezz, secretary general of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers, pointed out that before such a project is officially implemented, the Egyptian government must follow a certain sequence. “The idea has always been on the list of priorities of the joint council of Egypt and Saudi Arabia,” he said. “But, first ministers send requests for grants and soft loans to the Ministry of International Corporation for things like electricity costs, transport, and building,” he said. “Then, the Ministry of International Cooperation starts selling the concept to other governments or institutions; once the donor takes over, they put a grant for the feasibility study, which is the first step, after that comes the actual engineering of the project.” While its foundation is still far from being physically laid out, Ezz believes the new causeway could be a breakthrough for both countries. “We are still at the pre-feasibility stage studying the economic aspects and seismic details of the project,” said Ezz. Ezz pointed out that as 3 million travelers crossing the Red Sea between Egypt and Saudi Arabia every year, the new bridge, which would allow motorists to cross easily would be a remarkable accomplishment for both countries. However, he added that it could have some impact on ferryboats crossing into other surrounding countries. “You have a number of ferryboats everyday operating between Egypt and Jeddah, and Egypt and Jordan that are catering to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries, so these boats could be affected.” Around 70,000 Egyptians travel to Saudi Arabia every year for pilgrimage to Mecca. Saudi Arabia's investments in Egypt amount to $10 billion, while annual bi-lateral trade is more than $3.5 million. Egypt's export to the kingdom in 2010 stood at LE 9,038 million, equivalent to about $1.5 billion. – Additional reporting by John Radcliff.
