Coastal Protection Project in Bizerte to Begin in September
The Director General in charge of administrative affairs at the Coastal Protection and Development Agency (APAL), Mehdi Belhaj, announced that the first phase of the coastal protection project against maritime erosion in Bizerte, spanning 7 km, will commence in September.
In a statement to the TAP agency, Belhaj specified that the total cost of the project is estimated at 60 million dinars, with 25% financed by the APAL budget and 75% by German donations via the German Development Bank. The works will extend over 28 months.
Project Components
The project includes:
- The construction of three rocky points totaling 1,600 meters
- The completion of a 590-meter rocky barrier
- The installation of navigation signals for the points
- The reinforcement and coverage of the back of the rocky barrier and the beginnings of the points
- The reinforcement of existing sand dunes, particularly on the side of the commercial port
Belhaj emphasized that the completion of the project aims to restore the beauty of Bizerte's beaches, which have been severely affected by the sea that has taken away the sand and beaches. He stressed the environmentally friendly nature of this project, which will also contribute to protecting the region's infrastructure and roads.
Environmental Context
According to Belhaj, a World Bank report published in November 2023 showed that Tunisia is among the Mediterranean countries most vulnerable to maritime erosion, which motivated the APAL to develop an emergency intervention plan to limit this phenomenon on Tunisian beaches.
Future Plans
He also announced a second phase of the project, which will involve bringing sand from the depths of the sea to restore the beaches, with the goal of making them attractive destinations for tourists and residents. This initiative is inspired by similar projects carried out in the delegations of Rafraf, Slimane, and Sousse, which have contributed to boosting tourism in these regions.
