Morocco infrastructure study opening for tender

Morocco is planning a new infrastructure programme. The country’s Ministry of Equipment, Transport and Logistics is introducing a new tender scheme for a study that will be used to establish the national road infrastructure scheme (Snir) by 2035. A previous bid was launched for this study into the country’s road infrastructure programme was launched in November 2014 but proved unsuccessful. The aim of this study will be to establish the operational strategy for road infrastructure in the medium- and long-term. It will focus on the Kenitra - Rabat - Casablanca - El Jadida route. The study will also assess the necessary financing for the Snir 2035 and analyse the potential with regards motorway and maintenance concessions. The study will also assess the suburban road infrastructure needs around the country’s largest cities. The opening of the bids is planned for 31st May 2016.

The Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics has revealed that the value of road contracts signed stands at US$1.38 billion for the development of 4,500km of roads, including 460km of highways. Upkeep requires an annual envelope of close to $60 million for highways, as well as $10.3 million for the repair of damaged stretches of road. The ministry added that the highway network should reach 1,800km this year with the inauguration of the 42km ring road around Rabat and the 142km highway linking Safi to Al Jadida.