Morocco’s Tiznit-Dakhla Central Highway Directorate is gearing up to construct the kingdom’s longest bridge, spanning 1,700 meters over the al-Saqiya al-Hamra River, north of Laayoune, according to a report by local media outlet “Le 360” on Friday.
The planned bridge is to have a 50-meter-deep foundation and a height of 50 meters.
This infrastructure is meant to address traffic congestion in Laayoune by establishing a direct connection across the city, effectively bypassing the central areas.
In an interview with Le360, the Head of the Tiznit-Dakhla Highway Directorate, Mbarek Fancha, revealed that the bridge is part of a series of 16 similar structures planned for the highway spanning across 980 km.
“The overall estimated cost of constructing these bridges is 2.4 billion MAD,” Fancha stated.
According to the official, the construction of these structures is almost finished, and “the longest bridge is expected to significantly boost the economy and tourism in the city,” aligning with the Kingdom’s Southern Provinces Development Program, initiated by King Mohammed VI during his visit to Laayoune in 2015.
Fanchah underscored the project’s commitment to environmental stewardship, emphasizing the protection of local biodiversity, particularly in the vicinity of al-Saqiya al-Hamra River.
The new bridge is poised to boost cross-border connectivity, facilitating Morocco’s access to sub-Saharan Africa, fortifying diplomatic ties, and fostering economic growth in the region.
The project, according to the same source, will also facilitate the mobility of both national and international travelers, given that the Sahara is Morocco’s gateway to sub-Saharan Africa.
In recent years, the Kingdom has reinforced its diplomatic relations with sub-Saharan countries, resulting in the establishment of multiple African consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla.
Currently, numerous individuals from these countries reside in the Kingdom for professional or academic purposes.