The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is on the eve of finalizing the studies necessary to evaluate the total cost of the Ourika tunnel, an initiative aimed at revolutionizing connectivity between the economic and tourist centers of the Morocco. This project, which aims to cross the High Atlas massif, between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, is at the heart of the concerns of the government, determined to face the technical challenges and to guarantee respect for the High Royal Guidelines.
The Ourika tunnel, which will extend over approximately 10 kilometers, is positioned as a major infrastructure project, comparable, in certain aspects, to the famous Mont Blanc tunnel, linking France and Italy. The specificity of this project lies in its crossing of the High Atlas massif, whose height exceeds 3,900 meters. The tunnel will aim to bypass the Tizi N’Tichka pass, located at an altitude of 2,260 meters, a particularly difficult and rugged route which represents an obstacle for users connecting Marrakech and Ouarzazate.
The technical challenge of this project is immense, due to the absence of an aerial crossing alternative and the crystalline nature of the mountain range. With a coverage of more than 1,000 meters, the construction of the tunnel will require cutting-edge technologies and in-depth studies to guarantee infrastructure safety. If crossing this mountainous area proves complex, the tunnel project aims to offer a lasting solution to a problem which affects many drivers using the Tizi N’Tichka pass road, often difficult and strewn with pitfalls, by especially in winter.
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One of the main objectives of this infrastructure is to facilitate the connection between the major economic and tourist centers of the country, Marrakech and Ouarzazate. Marrakech, capital of Moroccan tourism, and Ouarzazate, nicknamed the “door to the desert” and a real hub for cinema and adventure tourism, will see their links considerably strengthened. This new link will not only simplify travel, but also open up new perspectives for commercial, cultural and tourist exchanges between these two cities. The tunnel is expected to significantly reduce journey times, avoiding a 60 kilometer detour through the mountains and providing a more direct and safer crossing.
Nizar Baraka, Minister of Infrastructure, has repeatedly stressed the importance of this project in the context of Morocco’s overall development, in particular to strengthen the integration of the regions and stimulate their economic growth. In addition, the Moroccan government emphasized the fact that the construction of this tunnel is part of a long-term vision aimed at modernizing and improving national infrastructure, in accordance with the royal ambitions for the development of the country. .
Technical and logistical issues
The Ourika Tunnel design process was not without its challenges. Indeed, after preliminary and geological studies, the project suffered a setback when the company responsible for the internal studies of the tunnel was not able to start the work. As a result, the original contract was canceled and a new tender was issued to find a competent company that could meet the complex technical requirements of this major project. However, the ministry affirmed its determination to carry out this initiative, despite the administrative and technical obstacles encountered along the way.
The construction of the Ourika tunnel is part of a broader strategy aimed at developing Morocco’s road infrastructure and strengthening its regional and international competitiveness. This project is not only an axis of development for the regions concerned, but also a symbol of the government’s commitment to improving connectivity between the different regions of the country, in particular by facilitating access to mountainous and remote areas.
The government, in collaboration with local authorities and economic players, is doing everything possible to ensure that this tunnel becomes an engine of development for the entire region. The advantages of such infrastructure are multiple: improvement of road safety, reduction of transport costs, and stimulation of tourism and investments in the Ouarzazate region, already recognized for its cultural and natural attractions.
