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A New Motorway is Under Construction to improve links to Marrakech
Work is divided in several main sections, each with their own contractors and workers. Construction of a 4-lane motorway through the mountains of the High Atlas requires much structures as fly-overs, viaducts and bridges. The existing national road (route nationale) is used for transport of building material etc. Along this route new exits and side roads are constructed to several main working locations and temporary factories (concrete, storage, camp-sites for builders, etc).
The new road crosses the existing road several times and follows more or less the same route through the mountains.
Marrakech Motorway Layout
Over the full length the new autoroute will have:
- two standard traffic lanes in each direction, each 3.5 meters wide with a central separation zone of at least 3 meters
- One emergency lane / hard shoulder in each direction of 1.5 meters wide
Toll road
When opened users of the new road will have to pay to use it, as is the case with most autoroutes in Morocco. At entrances, exits and near the endpoints toll-booths will be built, and the costs will be based on traffic-type and distance. Regular users can choose for a permit allowing unlimited use during a fixed period.
The existing national road will remain open as a toll-free alternative for the autoroute as well as allowing access to smaller villages and roads. Traveling time between Marrakech and Agadir will be reduced greatly as the autoroute allows overtaking everywhere (4 lane), bypasses villages and allows higher speeds. Possible speed on 2-lane national roads is often greatly reduced due to very slow lorries crawling up a hill while steep bends and traffic from the other side make overtaking hazardous or impossible.
Opening
After an inspection in April 2007 on progress the ADM reported completion and opening at the end of 2009. Like all construction, the dead line is not always on time, the latest news is it will be complete the middle of 2010. |
