Name and Location
Tangiers–Marrakesh railway line, Morocco.

Project Description
The project is planned to increase capacity on two separate corridors of the Tangiers–Marrakesh railway line.Work will be done on the Kenitra–Rabat–Casablanca corridor, as well as the Casablanca–Settat–Marrakesh sections of the railway line, linking the south to the north and east of the country.

The Kenitra–Rabat–Casablanca corridor will involve strengthening of the existing rail tracks and will also include the construction of a 148 km long third track between Zenata and Kenitra. This track will primarily be used for freight haulage to allow round-the-clock freight traffic to flow between Tangiers and Casablanca. Currently, the service only operates at night, owing to the many existing capacity constraints.

The Casablanca–Settat–Marrakesh section will involve upgrading and partial double- tracking works on the 40 km line between Settat and Marrakesh. It is envisaged that the line will also be partially double-tracked.

The alterations to the Tangiers–Marrakesh railway line are expected to ease rail traffic and reduce journey times on the entire line.

The project is a major component of Morocco’s overall investment programme, valued at over €1-billion, which aims to transform the country’s rail transport industry between 2010 and 2015.

Value
The project is valued at €438-million.

Duration
The project is scheduled for implementation between 2011 and 2016.

Client
Office National des Chemins de Fer du Maroc.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

Latest Developments
The government of Morocco received a €300-million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) in December 2010 to assist with the implementation of the project.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
AfDB, Chawki Chahed, tel +216 71 10 2702 or email c.chahed@afdb.org.