Why it matters

After years of development, a project to ease the lives of Casablanca drivers has finally been completed. In its February 2024 session, the city council decided to restrict heavy trucks’ access to the urban area.

This measure aims to alleviate road traffic congestion on the main routes of the metropolis, which has over 1.5 million vehicles in circulation according to figures from the Ministry of Transport.

What will be done

Heavy trucks will be barred from entering the urban area through the installation of logistics platforms in Zenata, intended for businesses, shopping centers, and supply factories. Goods will then be distributed by smaller trucks according to predefined schedules outside peak hours.

As part of this plan, spacious warehouses will also be constructed near the peripheral roads. This project has faced obstacles, notably waiting for the opening of the Northern Link connecting the port of Casablanca to the Zenata logistics zone.

This urban highway was nearly ready nearly five years ago, but its use was stalled due to a land clearance issue at the entrance to Aïn Sebaâ

This urban highway was nearly ready nearly five years ago, but its use was stalled due to a land clearance issue at the entrance to Aïn Sebaâ. “The plot of land intended for the roundabout at the exit of Saâda Beach in Aïn Sebaâ was private property. We initiated the expropriation procedure for public utility in accordance with the decision of the city council approved during the October 2023 session,” explains Moulay Ahmed Afilal, Vice President of the Casablanca City Council.

He emphasizes that the realization of this project was made possible thanks to the intervention of Mohamed Mhidia, wali of the Casablanca-Settat region, who ordered the acceleration of the expropriation procedure and the commencement of construction of the roundabout just a few days after his appointment.

What has been accomplished

This 2×2-lane urban highway, stretching over 17.5 km and featuring 4 interchanges, will be fully operational upon the completion of the roundabout construction.

The partnership agreement for the development of this access road was signed in May 2014 in Mohammedia, in the presence of King Mohammed VI, by Minister of Equipment Aziz Rabbah and the various stakeholders, including the Casablanca municipal council, the Casablanca-Settat regional council, and the National Ports Agency (ANP).

This 2×2-lane urban highway, with a total cost of 930 million dirhams, stretches over 17.5 km and includes 4 interchanges. It will be fully operational once the roundabout construction is completed.

Construction of the truck lane has already been finished, and the section connecting RR322 to the Zenata logistics zone was opened to truck traffic last February.

Written in French by Younes Saoury, edited in English by Eric Nielson