Egypt is planning to construct a $1bn tunnel under the Suez Canal at Port Said.

The tunnel will be built 19km south of the Canal’s northern entrance and will have three passageways, according to af.reuters.com.

A tunnel near the city of Suez and a bridge near Ismailia are expected to be the two points of entry for vehicles to the waterway.

Egyptian investment minister Mahmoud Mohieldin said the project will be entirely financed using international investment funds.