Ongoing Roadworks Create Traffic Chaos
The Moroccan newspaper "Al-Akhbar" reported on Friday, August 28, 2026, that the highway connecting Agadir and Marrakech has effectively turned into a permanent construction site. This situation has resulted in continuous traffic disruptions in both directions, forcing vehicles to navigate through long queues. Consequently, extensive stretches of the highway, which are supposed to facilitate swift travel, have become akin to regular roads, severely hampering traffic flow.
Drivers Express Frustration Over Delays
The article elaborated that the highway is currently plagued by long lines of vehicles, especially those returning from Agadir following the holiday season. The construction work has caused significant slowdowns, making it extremely challenging for drivers to adhere to the standard speed limits typically allowed on highways. Numerous drivers and frequent users of this route have expressed their growing frustration regarding the prolonged nature of the construction and the resulting traffic congestion.
Moreover, the situation is exacerbated by the presence of heavy trucks and those carrying agricultural products on the highway. The slow pace of these larger vehicles, particularly in areas like Amskroud where there are steep gradients, causes further complications for lighter vehicles and buses, which struggle to maintain speed amidst the pervasive delays. The continuous construction has even led to some light vehicles overheating due to the prolonged idling, requiring drivers to stop on the roadside to allow their engines to cool down.
Despite the ongoing construction across multiple segments of the highway, which has effectively transformed many portions into regular roads requiring much slower travel speeds, the National Road Company continues to collect tolls without any reductions. This practice has prompted numerous users to divert to regular national roads, avoiding the highway until they can bypass the construction zones. Many have called for the cessation of toll fees for the Agadir-Marrakech highway, arguing that it no longer functions as a true highway due to the lengthy construction and the resulting traffic issues.
In its report, "Al-Akhbar" pointed out that one particularly troublesome section of the highway at Amskroud is notorious for its steep inclines and declines, which have historically been associated with dangerous driving conditions. Heavy trucks and buses face significant challenges on this route, which is often referred to as the "death slope" by drivers. The maximum speed limit is set at 120 km/h, yet heavy trucks frequently find themselves limited to speeds as low as 20 km/h due to the steep descent, compounding the difficulties faced by all road users.
Among the other challenges confronting heavy truck drivers is the length of this treacherous slope, which stretches for 14 kilometers. The brakes on these vehicles often fail to respond effectively due to the continuous strain from the steep gradient, significantly increasing the risk of fatal accidents.
As reported by ar.le360.ma.
