The relationship between Egypt and Saudi Arabia is both officially and informally special. Therefore, the bridge that is going to link Ras Hamid in Tabuk with Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh and Tiran Island is going to break the geographical boundaries and shorten the distances between the two countries.
The construction of the bridge, which is to start soon, will make many dreams come true. Egyptians, who have always dreamed of visiting the holy lands, will now have an easy access to the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah. Saudis will find a non-costly way to the friendly lands of Egypt . To most Saudis, Egypt is the only country that shares many habits and traditions with the Kingdom. Egyptian pilgrims will have new options, other than traveling by sea, to enter the Kingdom to perform Haj. Importing goods and products will also be much easier and quicker. Saudis will gain so much when Egypt , the country close to the hearts of many people, becomes 50 km away from home. The number of people spending their vacations in Egypt will also increase.
The bridge will cost $3 billion and the construction will take three years to complete. Passengers can travel from the Kingdom to Egypt or vice versa through the bridge in less than an hour. It will definitely be one of the greatest and most important bridges around the world.
It might not be too late to construct the bridge now. But the lives of many pilgrims, workers and tourists could have been saved if we had built the bridge years ago. But to start the project now is better than having the option of sailing by sea forever.