By LeSiteinfo with MAP
Work on the Fès-Taounate expressway is progressing at “a sustained pace”, with the first phase having recorded a progress rate of 65%, said the head of the Temporary Development of the Fès-Taounate Expressway, Mohamed Mouhtadi. .
In a statement to MAP, Mouhtadi indicated that this large-scale project, which is part of a partnership agreement for the upgrade of road axes in the Fez-Meknes region, is being carried out in four phases. in view of the geological and geographical specificities of the area.
Concerning the first phase, which connects Taounate to Oulad Daoud over 16 kilometers and which should ultimately cost 260 million dirhams (MDH), the manager reported constraints at the start of the work linked in particular to the movement of the networks drinking water, electricity and fiber optics, in addition to the difficulties relating to the expropriation of land.
“The work of this first phase is spread over three axes,” he explained, specifying that the Taounate-Aïn Aïcha axis is 90% complete, while the Aïn Aïcha-Oulad Daoud axis is. is at 70%.
The third axis concerns the center of Aïn Aïcha, where the work is at 10% after the completion of sanitation works by RADEEF, he said.
The second phase, which connects Oulad Daoud to the road leading to Bouaarous over 19 kilometers at a cost of 300 MDH, started in July and reached a progress rate of 20%.
Mouhtadi indicated that the work of the first tranche should be completed in April 2025, while that of the second tranche will be completed towards the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.
Concerning the third phase, which connects the road leading to Bouaarous to the center of Ain Kansara over 19 kilometers, the manager specified that the study has been approved and that the opening of the bids is planned for February 2025, for an estimated cost of 330 MDH.
The fourth section, which connects Ain Kansara to the entrance to the city of Fez over 17 kilometers, is currently being studied and work should start in 2025.
In addition to the roads, the project also includes the construction of 11 engineering structures, including two bridges over Oued Ouergha at the entrance to Ain Aicha.
The same official stressed that the two bridges, with a length of 278 meters, will cost around 110 million dirhams. Ten other bridges are planned during 2025 for an estimated cost of 180 million dirhams.
The overall cost of the Fez-Taounate expressway, which extends over 71 kilometers, is estimated at 1.56 billion dirhams. It is financed by the Ministry of Equipment and Water (985MDH), the Fez-Meknes region (485MDH), the Provincial Council of Taounate (40MDH) and the Agency for the Promotion and Development of the Northern Provinces (50MDH).
According to project managers, the expressway will open up the province of Taounate and boost its economic development. It will also help improve road safety and reduce travel time between the two cities.
S.L
