Casablanca/Future tram lines: The ordeal of residents and businesses
The works on the trajectory of lines 3 and 4 of the tramway are causing dissatisfaction. In addition to the disruption of traffic, the inconvenience caused to residents and merchants are pointed out. Several retail shops in the Garage Allal area are preparing to launch a petition and observe a sit-in in protest. In question is the section of line 3 which extends from Boulevard El Fida to the Marjane hypermarket (Bd Mohammed VI).
“The road construction works on this section hinder access to shops and harm businesses and residents,” says the owner of a shop located in the area. The excessively narrow lane allows only one vehicle to pass at a time, making it impossible to load or unload goods. “I do not understand why these works (are being conducted on the sidewalk) when the roadway is wide enough (120 meters) to allow easier circulation with the tram line in the middle”, testifies a local resident. In addition, customers who can no longer park juts make a U-turn and leave. “The situation is catastrophic, several businesses have even closed their doors,” continues the same merchant. After the Covid crisis, these developments complete the businesses still in operation.
The construction works on lines 3 and 4 do indeed cross key pillars for the wholesale and retail trade not only for Casablanca, but all of Morocco. From the Derb Omar commercial district to the Garage Allal area and the Benjdia district, thoroughfares such as Bd Mohammed VI, the Ouled Ziane road, or the Rahal Meskini , Mohamed Smiha, and Allal El Fassi streets, are completely paralyzed. And even after the completion of the construction works, the problem will remain for small businesses located downtown. Narrower lanes, as well as difficult access and parking will deter customers.
Admittedly, there is a project to transfer wholesale trade activities to the outskirts of the city (in the Médiouna area), but the project has stalled for years. In the meantime, wholesale and retail businesses are suffering.
These construction sites not only paralyze traffic and impact the commercial activity, but sometimes represent a real hazard for passers-by and motorists. Between unmarked gaping holes, damaged pipes, rubble, and construction waste left on the spot… passers-by are obliged to slalom to avoid the hazards and hurdles on the road. The number of incidents is increasing on the trajectory of the 4 lines under construction (tram/Bus Rapid Transit). The latest incident is the one which occurred on Friday, April 1st at the Mers Sultan roundabout. A drinking water pipe, inadvertently hit by a vehicle, turned into a real “geyser”. Result: considerable material damage, as well as flooded shops, cafés, and snack bars on Allal El Fassi street.
Another incident this time involved a young photographer from L’Economiste.
On Friday. April 1st on the Moulay Thami road (in the Oulfa district), her car fell into a gaping manhole on the roadway. The photographer was seriously injured, and her vehicle was badly damaged. Due to a lack of signage and lighting, the manhole was completely invisible to motorists. Moreover, this manhole still constitutes a danger since nothing has been done to remedy the situation since last Friday. Who is responsible for these shortcomings? Is it the municipality or the company carrying out the works? Who will pay for the physical and material damage caused to the victims, motorists, or simple passers-by? The municipality must shoulder its responsibilities in the face of this chaos.
Aziza EL AFFAS
