The final works on National Road 17 are now underway. The road linking Ahfir to Saïdia is an important route between the inland areas of the Oriental region and its Mediterranean coast, particularly the resort town of Saïdia. It is also part of a route connecting Oujda to Nador via Saïdia and Ras El Ma.
The project, overseen by the Ministry of Equipment and Water, required a total budget of 36 million dirhams, fully funded by the ministry. For project officials, the goal is to upgrade a road that carries particularly heavy traffic, especially during the summer and holiday periods.
“The main aim of this project is to rehabilitate this vital road, which sees heavy tourist traffic, particularly during the summer season and holiday periods, while also strengthening the road link between Oujda and Nador,” said Mohamed Hakimi, provincial director of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water in Berkane.
Beyond the road surface itself, the project also covers several components of the road infrastructure. These include improving the quality of service provided to road users, rehabilitating the structures associated with the road and strengthening safety conditions for motorists.
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“The project also aims to improve the quality of services, rehabilitate the structures associated with the road and strengthen road safety conditions for its users,” the provincial official added, highlighting the strategic importance of the route, which crosses a significant part of the Oriental region and provides a link to the border area.
On the ground, work is accelerating as the project nears completion. Crews are continuing the remaining operations to meet the planned schedule and reopen the road under its new conditions. “Work is progressing according to the established program and at a steady pace. The completion rate currently stands at around 90%,” confirmed Khalid Kostani, site manager for the company carrying out the project.
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This level of completion marks the project’s entry into its final phase. Once the remaining work is completed, motorists will be able to use a rehabilitated road, with the aim of improving travel conditions along this heavily used route.
Through this project, the upgrading of National Road 17 is gradually strengthening the Oriental region’s road network along a route expected to accommodate tourist and economic flows between Oujda, Saïdia and Nador. The project is part of broader efforts to adapt road infrastructure to the region’s mobility needs and development.
