Casablanca Expands Rail Network with Three New Stations, Boosting Regional Connectivity

In addition to the new stations of Sidi Bernoussi, Aïn Sebaâ, Mers Sultan, Hay Hassani and Aïn Chock, planned within the perimeter of Casablanca, there are three others that will be built in the economic capital. These are Casa-Sud, Grand stade de Casablanca and Aéroport Mohammed V. The National Railway Office (ONCF) is preparing to launch traffic and intermodality studies between its major stations. The sites of these three new stations, as well as Marrakech Palmeraie, will be integrated into the exchange hubs. The ONCF has already launched a call for tenders, the opening of which is scheduled for Thursday, July 18, reports L’Économiste.

The aim is to define the circulation scheme and the dimensioning of the intermodal spaces within the study area. This study aims not only to determine future travel needs, connections with existing public transport infrastructure (tramway, busway, buses, etc.), parking spaces and reduce traffic nuisances, but it will also have to take into account the circulation of cars, trucks, public transport, taxis... as well as the impact of the multiservice urban hubs called "Exchange Hubs" and the station project on future modes of travel.

The realization of the projects to build the Casa-Sud, Grand stade de Casablanca, Aéroport Mohammed V and Marrakech Palmeraie stations, which are in line with the project to increase the rail capacity between Kenitra and Marrakech, is of paramount importance. It will make it possible to accompany the arrival of future flows of the high-speed line and the conventional line and to enhance the site of the station. "These new stations must integrate modernity, respect for the environment and the functionality of the spaces. Their location in particularly dense areas requires a reorganization of road and pedestrian access," the publication points out.