Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Equipment launched the construction works for the third phase of the expressway connecting Fez to Taounate, with a total budget of approximately MAD 324 million ($36 million).
The expressway between Fez and Taounate is 19 kilometers long and will link Provincial Road No. 5319 to the entrance of the Ain Kansra commune.
Minister of Equipment Nizar Baraka launched the construction project on Tuesday during his visit to the province of Taounate to assess the progress of the ongoing expansion works of National Road No. 8.
The overall project covers 73 kilometers, involving a total budget of MAD 1.56 billion ($173.4 million).
Baraka said the project will significantly reduce travel time between Fez and Taounate, improving road safety and reducing traffic accidents along this key route.
The large-scale project is part of a partnership between the Ministry of Equipment and the Fez-Meknes Regional Council. It is also part of the Fez-Meknes Regional Development Program.
Baraka also reviewed a series of road projects that have been completed or are under construction, and those planned in the province of Taounate.
For these projects, MAD 380 million ($42.2 million) was put towards the construction and engineering of the expressway, MAD 302 million ($33.5 million) went towards reducing regional disparities, and MAD 82 million ($9 million) went towards maintenance, widening, and reinforcing the road infrastructure.
The North African country has been pledging to advance its expressways to facilitate cross-country travel. Recently, the Moroccan government announced a $1.25 billion strategic highway infrastructure project ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The investment agreement, which covers the period from 2025 to 2032, focuses on three major projects, including the Continental Rabat-Casablanca Highway, the Tit Mellil-Berrechid Highway, and transforming the Ain Harrouda and Sidi Maarouf junctions.
