The Mohammed VI Bridge has finally been launched in Casablanca, easing traffic for drivers. Other transportation projects are still being finalized, which will improve public transportation in the city. The inauguration of the bridge was attended by officials including the Wali of the Casablanca-Settat region, the President of the Council of the Region, and the Mayor of the city. The approximately 1,100 meters in length bridge has 2×2 traffic lanes in each direction, with a total investment of 172 million dirhams. It is located at the entrance to the city and will significantly reduce waiting times. The Casablanca Busway, which is scheduled to be operational from July, will complement existing tram services and has two lines. The T3 and T4 tram lines are expected to launch in early 2024. However, some business owners have complained about the impact of the “endless” works on their operations and the attractiveness of the city.
With the launch of the Mohammed VI Bridge in Casablanca, drivers can finally take a breather. Other large-scale projects, still being finalized, will strengthen the public transport offer in the economic capital.
It is a few minutes past 11 a.m., this Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Boulevard Mohammed VI in Casablanca, not far from the intersection with Boulevard Mekdad Lahrizi. Under a sun, dozens of journalists, elements of the police and even some curious citizens gathered here, while the circulation of vehicles at the level of this section has been prohibited since this morning. Everything is therefore ready to proceed with the inauguration of the long-awaited bridge on Boulevard Mohammed VI. leave after about twenty minutes without giving the slightest statement.
“It’s already starting badly, I hope the traffic on the bridge will be better than the inauguration ceremony”, blows a colleague in your ironic tone. Said Ahmidouch, Wali of the Casablanca-Settat region, Abdellatif Maazouz, President of the Council of the Region, Nabila Rmili, Mayor of the city, are at the head of the senior officials who came to oversee the ceremony of putting the bridge into circulation. Proof of the importance of this project which should relieve traffic in part of Casablanca and make life easier for hundreds of thousands of drivers who cross this artery to enter or leave the city.
Project vital
With approximately 1,100 meters in length, 16 meters in width, 2×2 traffic lanes in each direction, for an overall investment of 172 million dirhams, this work of art, located at the entrance to the economic capital and extending at the crossroads with several large boulevards (Driss Harti, Amgala, Dakhla, Qods), will considerably reduce the waiting time. “Thanks to this bridge, the passage will only last 2 minutes instead of 12 during rush hours”, explains Nabil Belabed, general manager of the company Casa Transport, at the microphone of Maroc Hebdo. For his part Ahmed Brija, chairman of the public services commission within the city council, present at the ceremony, affirms that “it is a historic day, with the inauguration of this work. The Casaouis must be proud of this bridge”.
It must be said that the putting into circulation of the drop bridge on Boulevard Mohammed VI after 15 months of work – instead of the 12 months initially planned – has given new hope to the inhabitants of the metropolis to finally be able to take advantage of the multiple infrastructure projects of transport under construction for several years, while the city has been transformed into a giant sky construction site where traffic has become more than ever hellish, both for vehicles and for pedestrians.
“Endless” works
While the owners of shops, cafes restaurants and other businesses complain about the impact of the “endless” works on their activities and even on the attractiveness of the city more generally. Scheduled to be operational from January 2023, the famous Casablanca Busway will only transport passengers from July, six months late. In the meantime, these “special” buses have already crisscrossed the BW 1 line over a distance of 3 km on March 13 as part of the test and training phase (102 drivers for 40 vehicles) provided by the future operator, the Casabusway company, while the dry run, a period during which the busway will run empty on the entire line, without carrying passengers in order to adapt to real traffic conditions, will begin at the beginning of June.
This project, described as revolutionary by many, comes in two lines, the BW1 and the BW2. The first, 12.5 kilometers long, will link the Salmia district in Lissasfa to the Al Laymoun district via Al Qods, Mohammed VI, Moqdad Lahrizi and Al Joulane boulevards, with a total of 20 passenger stations. The BW1 will offer two connection points with the tram lines: the first is at Lissasfa station (T1), while the second will be on the T3 line under construction. The second line extends over 12 km, with 22 stations served, and will provide service between the Errahma district at the Oulmes roundabout at the intersection of Ghandi and Yacoub Al Mansour boulevards. This BW2 will allow correspondence with the T2 tram line, at the Place Financière station.
Transport offer
The entry into service of the busway will make it possible to strengthen and diversify the offer in terms of public transport in Casablanca, allowing a strong complementarity with the already existing tramway, since the two services will offer a single ticket to users. The platforms of the busways will also be distinguished from the lanes used by regular vehicles.
As for the new tram lines, the T3 and T4, the Casaouis will have to wait even longer. The two long-awaited lines, whose work was launched in December 2020, should be put into service in early 2024 according to officials at the town hall. Unless new complications delay the inauguration once again, as was the case with the other projects.
In conclusion, the launch of the Mohammed VI Bridge in Casablanca brings hope for the residents of the city who have suffered from traffic congestion for years. With an overall investment of 172 million dirhams, this project is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and make life easier for hundreds of thousands of drivers. While several other large-scale transport infrastructure projects are still being finalized, such as the Casablanca Busway and new tram lines, the city is slowly but surely improving its public transport offer for the benefit of its citizens. Despite some delays, officials remain optimistic about the future of transportation in Casablanca.