The Tiznit-Dakhla expressway 80% open to traffic
The full opening of the Tiznit-Dakhla main expressway by the end of 2024 at the latest will be a major event in the construction of public infrastructure. According to the information that L’Economiste has just collected from the Ministry of Equipment and Water, the project to upgrade the National Road RN1 linking the city of Tiznit to the city of Dakhla, which extends over a total length of 1,055 kilometers, consists of two sections.
This is the Tiznit-Laâyoune expressway which extends over a length of 500 km, and whose work progress rate has reached 84.7%. The second section concerns the widening to 9 meters and the reinforcement of the RN1 road between Laayoune and Dakhla over a length of 555 kilometers, the works of which have been completed.
Thus, “at the level of the Tiznit-Laâyoune expressway, the Ministry ensures the opening to traffic of each section where the works are completed and the signage carried out. Thus, 80% of this expressway is now open to traffic, knowing that it is planned to totally commission it before the end of 2024”.
As a reminder, the Government has mobilized a budget of 10 billion Dirhams (USD 1 billion) via a partnership agreement between the Ministries of Equipment, Interior, and Finance, and the regions of Laâyoune Sakia El Hamra, Guelmim Oued-Noun, Dakhla Oued Eddahab, and Souss-Massa.
To ensure the follow-up of this transformational project, which is part of the New Development Model of the Southern provinces, and its implementation as soon as possible, the Government has created a dedicated department. This project will be a major lever to boost investment in several regions, spread across 10 provinces, and impact more than 2.2 million inhabitants. The Tiznit-Dakhla expressway will contribute to the socio-economic development of four regions at once: Souss-Massa, Guelmim-Oued-Noun, Laayoune- Saquia El Hamra, and Dakhla-Oued- Eddahab.
The expressway will also make it possible to reduce journey times and avoid road disruptions due to flooding and silting. This project will at the same time contribute to the improvement of the transport of goods to and from the southern regions and their connection to the main national centers of production and distribution. Rest areas and parking lots for heavy goods vehicles will be built to improve the circulation of professional drivers in optimum conditions.
In addition, the expressway is part of the road works with international standards and a high level of safety. According to a former Minister of Equipment, the expressway is intended to be reclassified later as a motorway.
Hassan EL ARIF
