The National Railway Office (ONCF) is embarking on an ambitious civil engineering initiative aimed at enhancing the infrastructure of the Kenitra-Marrakech rail corridor. This project, overseen by the ONCF’s High-Speed Rail Projects Division, involves the construction and expansion of underpasses and access points at approximately 15 stations along this vital route. To realize this extensive undertaking, the ONCF is actively seeking external contractors who possess specialized expertise in civil engineering structures.
The initiative is divided into two distinct geographical segments. The first segment extends from Mohammedia to Nouaceur and encompasses ten stations: Mohammedia Facultés, Mohammedia Ville, Sidi Bernoussi, Aïn Sebaâ, Hay Mohammadi, Mers Sultan, Zenata Industrielle, Sidi Maârouf, Bouskoura, and Nouaceur. The second segment, concentrated in the Marrakech area, includes five stations: Benguerir, Ville Verte RER, Sidi Bouatman, Gare Stade Marrakech, and Sidi Ghanem. The financial scope of the project is significant, with the first phase estimated at nearly 50.2 million dirhams and the second phase at approximately 30 million dirhams, culminating in a total budget of around 80 million dirhams. Technical documents reviewed by telquel.ma indicate that the ONCF is looking for contractors capable of constructing these reinforced concrete structures in close proximity to active railway tracks.
One of the most formidable challenges associated with this project is the necessity to maintain uninterrupted rail operations throughout the construction period. The ONCF has outlined a meticulous approach to ensure that train services remain operational while the underpasses are being constructed. The construction will occur in two phases, specifically designed to avoid any prolonged disruption to rail traffic. The first phase focuses on casting a reinforced concrete box culvert beneath the future tracks, leaving a joint accessible on the platform side. During the second phase, temporary bridges will be positioned over the existing tracks, facilitating the extension of the underpass and its connection to the structure established in the first phase, all done without halting train services.
This operation presents considerable engineering challenges. The partially completed structure must maintain watertight integrity and protection for several months while trains continue to operate overhead. The construction will necessitate a comprehensive array of heavy equipment, including a 200-ton mobile crane for the installation of temporary bridges and mini excavators designed for operation in confined spaces around the platforms, along with sheet piles and soil-nailed retaining walls to ensure excavation stability.
In addition to the technical engineering hurdles, the new underpasses are intended to significantly improve passenger circulation within the affected stations. Each underpass will integrate stairways and elevator shafts to facilitate movement between platforms. The project specifications mandate that all these structures be built using reinforced concrete, and the design of these access points has been tailored to align with the phased construction schedule. It is crucial that elevator shafts do not obstruct subsequent phases of construction and that their foundations do not interfere with operational tracks, necessitating precise coordination throughout the project.
The ONCF’s High-Speed Rail Projects Division, which is responsible for advancing Morocco’s high-speed rail infrastructure, is spearheading this initiative. All 15 stations involved are situated along the Kenitra-Marrakech corridor, where the Office is currently prioritizing its investment activities.
The ONCF has established stringent qualification criteria for prospective contractors. These companies must demonstrate a proven track record in constructing civil engineering structures, particularly standard reinforced concrete works, and must meet the minimum classification standards set by the Office. An accredited engineering consultancy will oversee the preparation of detailed designs. Construction will proceed station by station according to a comprehensive schedule established by the ONCF, with partial acceptance inspections conducted as progress is made. A one-year warranty period will commence upon provisional acceptance, during which contractors will remain accountable for the structural integrity of the completed works.
As previously highlighted by telquel.ma, the ONCF has been intensifying efforts to modernize its rail network in recent months, including the acquisition of second-hand Intercity trains from Italy’s Trenitalia. This initiative to construct station underpasses is an integral part of the broader modernization strategy, focusing on enhancing railway infrastructure.
