Morocco’s largest road bridge underway in Laayoune, 23% completed

Morocco is making steady progress on the construction of its largest road bridge in Laayoune, with more than 23% of the project completed, according to Moubarak Fencha, head of the temporary directorate overseeing the work.

The bridge spans the Sakia El Hamra Valley and is designed to ease traffic congestion at the entrance of Laayoune, while improving connectivity between the southern regions and Morocco’s major cities. Once finished, it will stretch 1,648 meters long and 21.4 meters wide. The total cost is estimated at around 1.38 billion dirhams ($135 million).

Supported by 15 spans anchored on deep foundations, the structure extends over a total of 9 kilometers, reflecting the engineering precision and complexity required. It will include two separate lanes for vehicles and sidewalks for pedestrians, and is being built to meet the highest safety and environmental standards. Completion is expected by July 2027.

Fencha described the bridge as more than just a technical achievement. He said it is a strategic component of the Tiznit-Dakhla highway and part of the broader development model for Morocco’s southern provinces launched by King Mohammed VI in 2015. The highway itself is now complete and undergoing safety testing before opening to the public.

Despite challenges such as difficult terrain and fluctuating weather conditions, Fencha said the project is on schedule thanks to the efforts of Moroccan engineers, technicians, and construction companies. He emphasized that the work has drawn exclusively on national expertise, highlighting Morocco’s growing capacity for large-scale infrastructure projects.

Because the bridge crosses a seasonal riverbed, it features deep, flood-resistant foundations constructed using vertical concrete piles. These are designed to withstand heavy loads, water fluctuations, and sudden climate shifts, ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow between northern and southern Laayoune.

The bridge is being built through a partnership involving the Ministry of Equipment and Water, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the regional councils of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, and Souss-Massa. Fencha said the collaboration underscores the strategic importance of the project in the kingdom’s broader infrastructure vision.

He also acknowledged the logistical and financial challenges involved in delivering the project, including post-COVID supply chain disruptions. However, he said the collective efforts of all stakeholders have ensured that the project remains on track, both in terms of timeline and quality.

“Our goal,” Fencha said, “has always been to honor the state’s commitments and ensure high-quality work is delivered on time.”