Morocco’s longest bridge takes shape in Laâyoune as construction advances

Construction is progressing on what is set to become the longest bridge in Morocco. The structure, which will span approximately 1.7 kilometers across the Sakia El Hamra riverbed in the southern city of Laâyoune, forms part of the major Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway and the broader Southern Provinces Development Model. The project is expected to play a key role in improving transport and regional connectivity.

Project director M’barak Fancha stated that construction has reached around 36% completion. More than 600 workers, engineers, and technicians are involved, operating in rotating day and night shifts to maintain progress. Nighttime work is supported by on-site generators, while a dedicated medical team monitors health and safety conditions. According to project officials, no health incidents have been reported since construction began.

The bridge has been designed to withstand challenging environmental conditions, including earthquakes and flooding. Its foundations extend nearly 50 meters into the riverbed, while the structure rises to a similar height above ground. Engineers have also incorporated an improved rainwater drainage system, drawing on experience from another bridge in northern Laâyoune that remained operational during recent heavy rainfall.

Local transport professionals believe the bridge will help ease congestion in the city, where vehicle numbers have steadily increased in recent years. Hedi Mohamed Yahdih, head of the Sakia El Hamra Driving Professionals Association, noted that the project should improve traffic flow, particularly for buses and freight vehicles traveling toward Boujdour, Dakhla, and further south into sub-Saharan Africa.

The bridge is being constructed near an area that is rapidly developing into an economic and industrial hub, further enhancing its importance for regional trade. The project is estimated to cost approximately 1.38 billion dirhams and forms part of the development program launched by King Mohammed VI during his visit to Laâyoune in 2015.