Progress on Agadir's Northeast Bypass
On the construction site of the Northeast Bypass in Agadir, public works machinery is operating at full capacity. Following extensive earthworks, the establishment of hydraulic structures, and initial civil engineering tasks, the third phase of this bypass is gradually taking shape. Ultimately, this vital infrastructure is expected to streamline transportation, alleviate traffic congestion, and support the urban and economic development of Greater Agadir.
Spanning 5.2 kilometers, this new segment will connect several major roadways within the urban area and will complement the first two sections already in operation, which notably link to Agadir Al Massira Airport. This project is part of the comprehensive urban development program for Agadir 2020-2024, which was launched before King Mohammed VI on February 4, 2020, at Al Amal Square.
Investment and Economic Impact
The project is funded through a collaboration involving the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Equipment and Water, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Souss-Massa Regional Council, and the City of Agadir. The third and fourth phases will mobilize a total budget of 650 million dirhams, covering construction work, technical studies, monitoring services, land acquisitions, and other accompanying operations. Mohammed El Aouni, the provincial director of the Ministry of Equipment and Water in Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane, emphasizes that this initiative is part of the urban development program that includes multiple strategic projects aimed at strengthening the city’s infrastructure and enhancing mobility across the Greater Agadir region.
According to Mr. El Aouni, the construction progress has now surpassed 30%, with an investment of nearly 180 million dirhams. The site employs significant human and technical resources, utilizing over 1.4 million cubic meters of earthworks, nearly 1,000 linear meters of hydraulic structures, and around 1.2 million kilograms of steel for reinforced concrete works. The project also entails constructing a significant structure at the Abaraz roundabout in the Hay Mohammadi neighborhood, which is set to become a strategic traffic hub within the urban area.
This third phase ensures continuity with the two previously opened sections, allowing for direct access from Agadir Al Massira Airport to the Greater Agadir road network. Plans for the fourth phase are also underway, with its launch anticipated soon. Beyond enhancing the road network, this new infrastructure aims to mitigate traffic issues affecting the city, especially in the downtown area. It will particularly enable heavy trucks to bypass the most urbanized sectors, thereby reducing congestion and improving traffic flow.
Mr. El Aouni highlights that this infrastructure will transform mobility conditions across Greater Agadir, which includes Agadir, Dcheira El Jihadia, Inezgane, Aït Melloul, Lqliâa, and Drarga. Heavy trucks will be able to utilize this route without passing through the city center, while light vehicles will benefit from smoother access to northern municipalities, including Anza, Aourir, Taghazout, Aghroud, Imsouane, and Essaouira. The construction site is also generating significant economic activity; the companies responsible for the work have created numerous jobs for the local workforce, with residents closely monitoring the project’s progress.
Abderrahim Boutkhriz, a resident of Hay Mohammadi, considers this infrastructure a major lever for regional development. "We are pleased to see this project progressing. It will help open up several neighborhoods in Agadir and neighboring municipalities such as Drarga and Aït Melloul," he states. "It will also strengthen the connection between Agadir and Taghazout, two major tourist hubs that attract increasing numbers of Moroccan and foreign visitors each year." Local civil society actors echo this sentiment, commending the efforts of all project partners and the oversight provided by the wali of the Souss-Massa region, Saïd Amzazi.
Through this new bypass, Agadir continues its modernization efforts in infrastructure with the aim of enhancing its attractiveness, improving the quality of life for its residents, and accommodating significant international events, including the upcoming 2030 World Cup.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
