Casablanca’s Almohads Underpass Project Faces Continued Delays, Frustrating Residents

Like several other projects initiated as part of the PDGC, the work on the Almohads Underpass construction site is experiencing an unqualifiable slowness. While the work on this structure began in July 2017, there is no precise indication of the opening date. Meanwhile, "several underpass projects have been completed and delivered, some even before the allotted deadlines (such as the Gandhi Underpass)," notes L’Économiste.

The newspaper cites other civil engineering projects initiated by SDL Casa-Transports that have nevertheless been completed on time. As proof, one could cite the "Node A" in front of the OCP with a total of about ten bridges and 2 underpasses, those of the Azemmour road and Aïn Sebaâ. As can be seen, the immensity of the Almohads Underpass construction site, which is also the longest underpass in Morocco at 2.2 km, is not conducive to its rapid delivery. But is this enough to endorse the endless slowness of the development work, which has nevertheless required colossal sums?

In reality, "the finalization of the structure is dependent on the restoration of the Hassan II Underpass," assures a well-informed source. And to continue that "this underpass adjoining the Hassan II Mosque (located in the extension of the Almohads) requires upgrading work. At the end of the work, motorists will be able to use the 2 underpasses connecting the Zerktouni and FAR boulevards."

It should be emphasized that the Almohads Underpass (named after the boulevard it runs along) is intended to connect the Hassan II Mosque, the marina and the Casa-Port station to the FAR Boulevard. The realization of this project, the overall cost of which amounts to 820 million DH, is entrusted to the Turkish company Makyol, while SDL Casa Aménagements is responsible for the project management.

The project consists of the construction of an underpass that separates all the intersections along the Almohads, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah and Zaid ou Hmed boulevards, and leading to the FAR Avenue after the Zelaqa intersection. Once delivered, this achievement should help to streamline traffic on this axis used by 35,000 to 40,000 vehicles/day towards the corniche, Zerktouni boulevard, the same source specifies.