On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, a high-level meeting was held at the headquarters of the Fes-Meknes Regional Council to review the progress of classified road projects under a partnership with the Ministry of Equipment and Water. The meeting was chaired by the first vice-president of the Regional Council, alongside the second vice-president, and representatives from the Ministry of Equipment and Water, as well as the National Equipment Fund. The discussion was centered on the dualization project of National Road No. 8, connecting Fes to Taounate.
During the meeting, Abdelhak Abou Salem, the first vice-president, confirmed that the regional council had honored its financial contributions to the project, amounting to 485 million dirhams. He also mentioned that the total cost of the project is 1.56 billion dirhams, with contributions from various stakeholders: 980 million dirhams from the Ministry of Equipment and Water, 485 million dirhams from the Fes-Meknes Region, 50 million dirhams from the Northern Regions Development and Investment Agency, and 40 million dirhams from the Taounate Provincial Council.
The project spans 71 kilometers and is divided into four sections. The first section, linking the center of Taounate to the commune of Oulad Dawood over 16 kilometers, has achieved a 70% progress rate. The second section, connecting Oulad Dawood to Wadi Al-Laban over 19 kilometers, has seen about 20% progress. The third section, linking Wadi Al-Laban to the commune of Ain Qansara over 19 kilometers, is expected to be tendered soon, while the fourth section, connecting Ain Qansara to Fes over 17 kilometers, is set to receive approval for its technical study in the coming months.
This project is part of a broader development strategy aimed at improving road networks and infrastructure in the region, which will enhance connectivity between the cities of the region, reduce travel time, and improve road safety. The participants emphasized the importance of coordination among the concerned parties to ensure the timely completion of the project and to overcome any challenges that may arise during its implementation.
source : fesnews media