In a recent announcement, Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, disclosed that the ministry is advancing a new initiative to conduct studies within the Ourika Tunnel to ascertain the project's final cost. This was revealed during a session dedicated to road infrastructure in the House of Councillors. Baraka clarified that while preliminary and geological assessments for the Ourika Tunnel have been concluded, further studies within the tunnel are ongoing to finalize the cost estimation. He noted that the initial agreement with companies to conduct these internal studies was nullified due to their inability to access the tunnel, prompting the launch of a new tender. The minister underscored the tunnel's critical significance, emphasizing that there is strong governmental commitment, in line with royal directives, to see the project through to completion. Turning to the highway network, Baraka highlighted the completion of the Tiznit-Dakhla highway, which he described as a testament to major infrastructural achievements that enhance territorial unity and connectivity across the Kingdom, stretching from north to south. Addressing the connection between the Marrakech-Agadir highway and the Tiznit-Dakhla highway, Baraka mentioned that the current link is facilitated via National Road No. 1. He revealed that the ministry is in the process of conducting preliminary studies to extend the highway to the 77-kilometer entrance of the Tiznit-Dakhla highway, a project estimated to cost 6 billion dirhams.
