National Road 17 (RN17), a key route linking Jerada and Beni Mathar and one of the most important roads in the Oriental region and Jerada province, has been fully rehabilitated following the completion of extensive improvement works.
The project encompassed approximately 35 kilometres and is expected to significantly enhance traffic conditions and bolster road safety along this crucial route. It directly addresses long-standing concerns from road users, as the previous state of this section had posed serious difficulties for years, especially for professional drivers who relied on it regularly.
The deteriorated road surface was a frequent cause of vehicle breakdowns, premature tire wear, damage to mechanical components, and significant safety risks for motorists.
Anwar Lmehyaoui, regional director of Equipment, Transport and Logistics in Jerada, highlighted the project’s importance, given the strategic role of National Road 17. He described the road as a critical link between Jerada and Beni Mathar.
Lmehyaoui noted that bringing the road to its new configuration was a challenging process. The initial contract, launched in 2020, faced setbacks due to issues with the original company. The Equipment Ministry subsequently terminated that contract and initiated a new tender with a different company, which successfully completed the works and brought the project to fruition.
He further revealed that the total cost of the project, accounting for both contracts, exceeded Dh160 million. The rehabilitation involved strengthening and widening the road, increasing the paved carriageway from seven to nine metres. Additionally, drainage structures and water infrastructure were reinforced, and damage caused by regional flooding, particularly from the 2024 floods, was repaired.
The official added that the works eliminated sections where traffic was previously interrupted and rectified what he described as hazardous spots, especially on difficult sections and bends.
A significant benefit of the project is the marked improvement in road safety. The regional director reported that no serious road accidents have occurred along the route since the works were completed. The remaining road signs and safety equipment, including vertical signage and protective barriers on bends and elevated sections, are pending installation.
Relief among road users
The positive impact of these improvements is particularly evident for professional drivers, who were among those most affected by the road’s previous condition. Ahmed, a driver who regularly uses the route for weekly round trips between Oujda and Ain Beni Mathar to transport goods, stated that the difference between the road before and after the project is now “clearly noticeable.”
He explained that while the road previously led to frequent breakdowns, tire wear, and damage to mechanical parts, it now offers a safer and higher-quality driving surface. The wider road also facilitates easier overtaking and much more comfortable travel conditions.
This sense of relief extends beyond professional drivers to all road users, who now have a solution to a long-standing problem, particularly given the route’s importance for mobility and the transport of goods.
