Construction is well underway on what will become Morocco’s longest bridge — a sweeping 1.7-kilometer structure spanning the Sakia El Hamra riverbed in the southern city of Laâyoune. Part of the ambitious Tiznit-Dakhla expressway project and the broader Southern Provinces Development Model, the bridge represents a landmark investment in the region’s infrastructure and connectivity.
Project director M’barak Fancha confirmed in a statement to news outlet le360 that work has reached 36% completion, with over 600 workers, engineers, and technicians operating around the clock to meet construction deadlines. The site runs continuous day-and-night shifts, with electrical generators providing nighttime lighting and a dedicated on-site medical team ensuring worker safety. Officials report that no health-related incidents have been recorded since operations began.
Engineered to withstand seismic activity, flooding, and natural disasters, the bridge’s foundations are anchored nearly 50 meters deep into the riverbed, while the structure itself rises to a comparable height above ground. Its design incorporates advanced rainwater drainage systems — drawing on lessons learned from an existing northern Laâyoune bridge that successfully maintained traffic flow during recent heavy rainfall events, the outlet explains.
Local stakeholders are optimistic about the project’s long-term impact. Hedi Mohamed Yahdih, president of the Sakia El Hamra Driving Professionals Association, on his part told the news platform that the bridge would significantly ease traffic congestion in Laâyoune, which has seen a steady rise in vehicle numbers. He added that heavy vehicles — including buses and freight trucks bound for Boujdour, Dakhla, and sub-Saharan Africa — stand to benefit most from improved road flow.
Strategically located near a developing economic and industrial zone, the bridge is expected to serve as a catalyst for broader regional commerce. With a total budget of approximately 1.38 billion dirhams, the project was initiated under the Southern Provinces development program launched by King Mohammed VI during his 2015 visit to Laâyoune.
