MOROCCAN National Railways (ONCF) has secured a $US 350m financing package from the World Bank to launch the Inter-Métropolitain Improvement Programme (SIR) which aims to upgrade suburban lines in Casablanca.
The project aims to upgrade around 73km of existing line from the centre of Casablanca to the suburban cities of Zenata and Mohammedia to the east, and Nouaceur, and Bouskoura to the south.
Work will involve track improvements to boost capacity along with signalling upgrades and electrification. SIR also aims to alleviate congestion and boost freight capacity to the port of Casablanca. It will involve constructing or enhancing multimodal stations at 15 locations along with integrating Transit Oriented Development strategies, and improving logistics facilities in Ain Sebaa and introducing a new logistics zone in Zenata.
More widely, the World Bank says the funding will help to improve the planning and financing capabilities of ONCF to manage and expand railway infrastructure. SIR aims to ensure that key locations are accessible within 45 minutes. Indeed, by June 2031, SIR will provide improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure to more than 560,000 people living in the region.
The World Bank says that 60% of Morocco’s population already resides in cities, which is expected to grow to 70% by 2050, with the Casablanca-Settat region a key driver of this growth.
“Addressing key challenges such as constrained mobility for citizens living in suburban areas, traffic congestion, and vehicle-related pollution will enable Morocco's cities to deliver even more,” the World Bank says.
