Construction of the Sakia El Hamra Bridge in Laayoune has surpassed the halfway mark, marking a major milestone for what is expected to become Morocco’s largest road bridge upon completion.
The project, which forms part of the Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway, has now exceeded 50% completion, according to Moubarak Fencha, director of the temporary agency overseeing the project.
Stretching across the banks of the Sakia El Hamra River, the bridge is expected to become a key transport link for Morocco’s southern provinces, easing traffic congestion at Laayoune’s northern entrance while improving connectivity along one of the country’s most strategic road corridors.
A flagship infrastructure project
Measuring more than 1.6 kilometers in length and approximately 21 meters in width, the bridge is designed to accommodate two separate carriageways, each with two traffic lanes, in addition to pedestrian walkways.
The structure has been designed to meet international standards for road safety and environmental sustainability, incorporating separated traffic flows and dedicated pedestrian access.
The bridge is one of the flagship projects under the Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway, which King Mohammed VI named after U.S. President Donald Trump.
Beyond improving traffic flow, officials say the project is intended to strengthen economic integration in Morocco’s southern provinces by facilitating the movement of people and goods and supporting the country’s broader strategy of deepening trade links with Africa.
The project also aligns with the New Development Model for Morocco’s Southern Provinces, launched by King Mohammed VI in 2015, which seeks to position the region as a major economic and logistics hub.
The bridge carries a total investment of approximately MAD 1.38 billion ($138 million).
According to project officials, the structure is supported by 15 spans anchored by deep foundations extending more than 9 kilometers in total, highlighting the engineering complexity of the project.
Construction is expected to be completed by July 2027, in line with the current schedule.
Construction enters its most complex phase
Fencha said work is progressing steadily thanks to the deployment of significant technical, logistical, and human resources.
“The project has now exceeded 50% completion while maintaining the planned construction schedule and the required quality standards,” he told Hespress.
He explained that the bridge is entering one of its most technically demanding stages: the installation of the prestressed concrete bridge deck, a process requiring advanced engineering techniques, specialized equipment, and highly skilled personnel.
Construction continues around the clock through a 24-hour rotating shift system, with three teams working in succession to keep the project on schedule.
Building in extreme conditions
Fencha noted that engineers are working under particularly challenging environmental conditions, including high salinity, strong winds, extreme summer temperatures, and shifting sand.
Some of the most delicate operations are also being carried out at heights approaching 50 meters, requiring specialized safety measures and innovative engineering solutions.
Despite those challenges, he said, the project reflects the growing expertise of Moroccan engineering firms in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects.
Once completed, the Sakia El Hamra Bridge is expected to become a landmark piece of national infrastructure while strengthening road connectivity and supporting the long-term economic and social development of Morocco’s southern provinces.
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