Berrechid–Beni Mellal expressway
| |
|---|---|
| Route information | |
| Length: | 173 km (107 mi) |
| Existed: | 2014 – present |
| Major junctions | |
| West end: | Berrechid |
| East end: | Beni Mellal |
| Highway system | |
| Roads of Morocco | |
The Berrechid–Beni Mellal expressway (A8) under development is the most recent big project of the ADM, the company responsible for all Moroccan express-ways. The road runs mainly parallel with the existing 'Route National' number 11.
History
Start of building
On 12 April 2010 King Mohammed VI of Morocco formally started the building-activities for this 173 km (107 mi) long toll-road. Between this date and the expected opening in 2013 some 35 billion cubic metres (1,200×109 cu ft) of soil/ground will be moved.[1][2]
Projected use
This new toll-road should lower the pressure on the existing "Route National" N11.Projections predict that some 4150 vehicles will use this road straight through the Atlas Mountains each day.
Route
The total length of the new expressway from Berrechid to Beni Mellal will be 173 km (107 mi). The construction is divided in several projects each with their own builders, budget etc.[1][2]
Section 1: Berrechid–Ben Ahmed
The first section is 38.6 kilometres (24.0 mi) and starts at the existing expressway Casablanca-Settat on the northern side of the city of Berrechid.
Section 2: Ben Ahmed–Khouribga
The next bit is also 38.5 kilometres (23.9 mi) in length, but this bit will be built by four local Moroccan contractors: Sintram, LRN, Seprob and the SNCE.
Section 3: Khouribga–Oued Zem
The same four local contractors will also build the next 33 kilometres (21 mi) of the new road: Sintram, LRN, Seprob em de SNCE
Section 4: Oued Zem–Kasba Tadla
Another 40 kilometres (25 mi) that will be built by a Moroccan contractor: Houar
Section 5: Kasba Tadla–Beni Mellal
The final 22 kilometres (14 mi). of the expressway, terminating in Beni Mellal will be built by another Chinese contractor: Covec.
Financing
The total building costs are budgeted on 6.050 million Dirham and these investments are made via:
FADES: The Arab Fund for Social and Economical Development,
the European Investment Bank and the government of China. This investment will be retrieved via the income from the toll-road, the exploration of the rest- and servicestations. Three service-stops will be built lying max. 52 km (32 mi). apart from each other.
The 5 parts will be built at the same time so that the whole road can be opened for traffic in 2013.
This investment is part of the main-projectplan 2008–2015 between the ADM and the government of Morocco. This masterplan was signed on 8 July 2008 during a formal meeting which was attended by King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
By 2015 some 1,800 km (1,118 mi) roads should be built witch a total investment of 53 billion Dirham.[1] Including this plan the FADES group has invested 26,4 billion Dirham invested in roads, potable water and other social-economical developments since 1975.
References and footnotes
- 1 2 3 News-item on ADM website, visited 6 June 2010
- 1 2 Project webpage on ADM website on the Berrechid-Beni Mellal expressway, (French), visited 17 March 2012