Use of nuclear explosives for excavation of a sea-level canal across the Negev Desert in Israel, connecting the Mediterranean with the Gulf of Aqaba Page: 5 of 6
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'sCOSTS f -
In 'the absence of accurate profiles of -route accurate infdrm =
tion oncosts of mass-produced nuclear explosives, a very rude first approx1m&.4
tion to costs of such a canal is given here.
Assuming (very roughly) an average depth of cut of 750 feet, this
dimension controls and leads to a device spacing of 1300 feet (using 2 megaton
devices buried at a depth of 1300 feet) in order to get a channel width of
1000 feet in rock.1
Assuming a hole drilling cost of $200 per foot for 1300 foot holes, and
a shot cost of $250,000, we are led to a total single shot cost of $ 0.5 x 106,
6
and at a spacing of four shots per mile, a cost of $ 2 x 10 per mile.
Thus; Nuclear Shot Cost: 130 miles x $2 x 106/mi = $260 x 106
Conventional
Excavation: 30 miles x $3 x 106/mi = $ 90 x 106
Engineering,
Auxiliary Construction
and Safety Program = $150 x 106
15% Allowance for 6
Contingencies =$5 x 10Approxirate Total Cost
= $575 x 106
CONCLUSION
The results of this crude preliminary investigation indicate that a
sea level canal across Israel appears to be within the range of technological
feasibility. It is more difficult to judge its economic feasibility, but some
information may be gained by noting that the Suez Canal Company was offered
$80 x 106 as compensation when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, and this figure
is probably only a percentage of its real value.
Another problem which has not been considered is that of political
feasibility, as it is likely that the Arab countries surrounding Israel would
object strongly to the construction of such a canal.
s a -
1See Table 3.2 p. 3-14 of the Pana'ma Canal Report by Graves et. al.- ... - k-'-.. -~
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Maccabee, H. D. Use of nuclear explosives for excavation of a sea-level canal across the Negev Desert in Israel, connecting the Mediterranean with the Gulf of Aqaba, report, July 1, 1965; California. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc676094/m1/5/: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.