Moroccan Government updates on Tiznit-Dakhla expressway project

Moroccan government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas provided an update Thursday on the progress of the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway, a major infrastructure project designed to enhance connectivity and economic development in the country’s southern provinces.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, Baitas highlighted that the expressway, spanning 1,055 kilometers, is a key component of Morocco’s new development model for the southern regions, launched by King Mohammed VI on the 40th anniversary of the Green March.

The project includes the construction of a highway between Tiznit and Laayoune, covering 550 kilometers, and the expansion of the Laayoune-Dakhla road to a width of nine meters over 500 kilometers. Baitas emphasized that this strategic infrastructure will significantly reduce travel times—by more than three hours for light vehicles and over five hours for heavy trucks—leading to lower transportation costs, improved road safety, and increased investment attractiveness in the southern provinces.

To ensure efficient execution, the project is managed by a dedicated temporary administration overseeing coordination at various stages. Baitas noted that all construction work has been carried out by Moroccan companies and professionals, demonstrating the country’s expertise in infrastructure development.

The project has involved 35 major companies, 15 engineering firms, 14 topography offices, and four quality control laboratories. It has also boosted employment in the region, creating 2.5 million workdays during construction. Once operational, the expressway is expected to generate 30,000 direct and 150,000 indirect workdays annually.

In addition, Baitas announced plans for a peripheral ring road around Laayoune, including a record-breaking 1,725-meter bridge over the Oued Sakia El Hamra, set to become the longest bridge in Africa. Construction of the bypass began in February 2024 and is expected to take 40 months, with a budget of approximately 1.28 billion dirhams ($130 million). The project aims to ease urban congestion and facilitate the movement of goods and people.

Morocco continues to invest in strategic infrastructure to drive economic growth and regional integration, reinforcing its commitment to modernizing transportation networks across the country.