Nador–Guercif Highway Nears Completion with 80% Progress

Fez – Construction of the Nador–Guercif highway is advancing at a steady pace, with one of its main sections now approaching completion.

This marks  a significant step forward in one of Morocco’s largest ongoing infrastructure projects in the Oriental region.

According to media outlet le360, work on the third section of the highway, which stretches between National Road No. 2 and National Road No. 16, has exceeded 80% completion. 

The 27-kilometres segment is entering its final phase, with visible progress on the ground as heavy machinery continues operations and teams work at a sustained rhythm.

The National Company of Motorways of Morocco (ADM) is overseeing the project, and confirmed that this section is among the most advanced parts of the broader highway plan. 

Officials say the progress reflects both the scale of the works completed and the efficiency of execution across multiple stages.

Notably, the entire section is being carried out by Moroccan expertise, involving local construction firms, engineering consultancies, laboratories, and monitoring teams. 

The approach shows the North African country’s growing technical capacity in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects without reliance on foreign contractors.

The third section includes several complex engineering components. Among them are three major structures designed to cross valleys, as well as 19 additional structures such as overpasses and underpasses. 

These are intended to ensure smooth traffic flow and safe integration with the existing road network.

In addition to the main roadworks, the project includes the construction of a key interchange in Driouch province, along with a toll station at the end of the section. 

These additions seek to strengthen regional connectivity and support local economic activity by improving access and reducing travel times.

The scale of the works is reflected in the project’s technical figures. So far, construction teams have completed approximately 6 million cubic metres of excavation and 5 million cubic metres of embankment. 

In parallel, around 370,000 tons of asphalt layers have been laid, marking one of the most intensive phases of the project. While the third section nears completion, progress is also underway on other parts of the highway. 

Construction on the second section, which covers a distance of 40 kilometres, officially began in January after the completion of the tendering process. Authorities expect this segment to be completed by 2028.

Meanwhile, preparatory steps for the first section, spanning 36 kilometres between the Fez–Oujda highway junction and Guercif, have already been finalized. 

The project is currently awaiting final approval from its main financier, the African Development Bank (AfDB), before construction can begin.

The overall cost of the Nador–Guercif highway project is estimated at MAD 7.8 billion. The third section alone, linking Nador Port to Driouch, represents an investment of nearly MAD 2 billion.

Experts consider the highway   a strategic project for the Oriental region. Once completed, it is expected to improve road connectivity between the northeast of Morocco and the country’s interior, while also supporting trade, mobility, and regional development.

Beyond its immediate transport function, the project is part of a broader effort to bolster infrastructure in less-connected areas, positioning them for greater economic integration. 

As construction continues across its different sections, the Nador–Guercif highway is steadily moving from planning to reality, with tangible progress now visible on the ground.

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