Work on Morocco’s longest bridge is progressing in Laayoune, with the project now 56% complete. Construction is continuing day and night under a work schedule designed to speed up completion while meeting the required technical standards.
Crossing the Sakia El Hamra valley, the bridge is one of the major projects planned under the new development model for the Southern Provinces. The project has a budget of around 1.38 billion dirhams and is expected to strengthen road infrastructure in the region.
The bridge’s strategic location will help improve traffic flow and ease congestion on Laayoune’s roads, particularly for cars, trucks and heavy vehicles. It will also provide smoother connections between the city and the areas to its north, west and south.
Le360 visited the construction site to follow the progress of the project and observe the work underway. On site, Mbarek Fancha, central director of the Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway, provided details on the project and its different stages.
Fancha said the work is being carried out with a focus on technical precision and careful management of the various stages of construction. He explained that the size and engineering design of the bridge require the continuous deployment of both workers and logistical resources, with work progressing at a steady pace to meet the project’s objectives.
The official described the bridge as an important infrastructure project for Laayoune and the wider region, particularly because of its expected contribution to the road network and mobility as vehicle and truck traffic increases.
He also pointed to the need for constant coordination between the different teams and specialists working on the project, from engineering and structural work to the various operations involved in advancing construction. This coordination is intended to ensure that the technical specifications and deadlines are respected.
Images of Morocco’s future largest road viaduct in Laâyoune (H.Yara/Le360)
The bridge’s design presents particular technical challenges because of its extension across the Sakia El Hamra valley. Building its different components therefore requires careful execution and close monitoring throughout the construction process.
Work is currently progressing simultaneously across the different sections of the project, with the necessary machinery and technical teams deployed to maintain a steady pace of construction.
Once completed, the bridge is expected to significantly improve Laayoune’s road infrastructure by facilitating traffic and the movement of different types of vehicles. It is also expected to contribute to the region’s attractiveness and support the economic and development momentum in the Southern Provinces.
The project reflects the scale of major infrastructure works underway in the region. Beyond the construction of a new bridge, it forms part of a wider road network designed to improve connectivity and mobility and strengthen infrastructure in Laayoune and its surrounding areas.
