Equipement and transport

Basic infrastructures are the pillars of the economic growth and development. This is the reason why they are among the priorities of the government.Undoubtedly, all the trade and touristic activities of the country depend on the building, extension, preservation and improvement of the transportation routes.

Therefore, the Ministry of Equipment and Transport is making all efforts in order to set up a modern basic infrastructure by facilitating the local, regional and international exchanges, and ensuring fluidity, comfort and safety of people and goods mobility.

A- STRATEGY OF The MINISTRY of EQUIPMENT AND TRANSPORT

The strategy of the Ministry of Equipment and Transport reflects the general policy of the government focusing on:

• Economic and social development by strengthening and modernizing the great infrastructure and superstructure networks;
• Implementing a proximity policy through the opening-up of the rural zones.

B- DATA RELATING TO THE SECTORS DEPENDING ON THE MINISTRY

1. Road and motorway sector

Morocco’s road network places it among the first African countries. 60% of its 60000 km road network is surfaced.

1,500 km of roads are built every year in addition to the Mediterranean by-pass which is under construction and which will link the cities of Tangier and Saïdia.

Moreover, around 50% of the Ministry’s budget allocated annually to the road sector is devoted to maintenance.

Mediterranean by-pass

The Mediterranean by-pass, which extends over 550 km from Tangier to Saidia, will allow the development of the Mediterranean coast, its opening-up and the promotion of its important potentialities.

At the present time, 172km is completed [ Tangier-Ksar Sghir (30km), Saidia-Ras Kebdana (20km), Ksar Sghir-Fnideq (30km), Wadi Kert-Ras Kebdana (92km) ] and 278km are under construction [ Al Hoceima-Ras Afrou (84km), Jebha-Al Hoceima (103km) and Tétouan-Fnideq (28km) ].

Studies and financing relating to the realization of the Tétouan – El Jebha section (120km) are completed. Works on the project will begin as soon as its budget is included in the money bill.

Rural roads

The fulfillment in 2005 of the 11000km roads within the framework of the first national program of rural roads (PNRR1) raised to 54% the rate of population served by a road. In addition, the realization, since 2005, of 15000 km of roads within the framework of the new program (PNRR2) will allow the rate of accessibility to the road network to achieve 80% by 2015.

Highways

The rate of motorway building which has been prevailing for a long time is 50km/year.

The need to develop our infrastructures implied improving this rate which became 150km/year.this will allow a 1500km motorway network in 2010 instead of 594km.

Consequently, an important step was taken in 2004 with the setting up of the provisions and financial mechanisms required for the fulfilment of the motorway program.