Morocco's road future

Morocco is spending 2.8% of its annual budget on maintaining and building roads as part of its 2008-2012 plan. For 2010, the state will allocate a budget of US$777 million on roads, a significant increase over the $413.6 million spent in 2006. This includes funds to coat 800km of roads, enlarge 510km of roads and renovate around 100 structures. Some $39.35 million has been budgeted for repairs following floods including rebuilding the Malouiya bridge near Missour and repairing 13km of damaged road on the 408 regional road. In 2010, construction of 210 new roads totalling 2,600km will be launched which will end isolation for 72% of rural areas. Around 1,900km will be completed in 2010 including the Chichaoua-Agadir highway link and the Rabat ring road. The construction of fast roads between Sidi Slimane and Mohammédia will be completed. The Rabat-Casablanca highway will be linked to Tamesna via an 8km road. Casablanca and Azemmour will be linked via a 20km road and a 113km road will be built between Marrakech and coastal town Essaouira.