The operating contract for the first tramway line has been approved and everyone is impatient to know the name of the future operator. It is only a matter of days. The announcement should be made, in fact, during the current month. In parallel, the entire construction site, which spans 30 km, is experiencing a particular effervescence. And for good reason. The fateful date of 12/12/12, coinciding with the entry into service of the tramway, is approaching with giant strides and everyone is active to be there on time. From now on, the tests of the train sets are carried out over a length of 7km, between Sidi Moumen (maintenance centre) and Hay Mohammadi, passing through the Mohamed Zefzaf and Oqba Bnou Nafiî boulevards. The length of the tested section lengthens as a part is tested and declared compliant with the required operating and safety standards. Likewise, according to the project owner Casablanca Transport, the work is progressing in accordance with the previously set schedule. As of today, the site take-over is 100%, with work having begun on the last sections that were still in latency. Let us cite in this regard the Gandhi roundabout, the centre of which has been completed, with teams working today on the sides. Likewise, what was considered as "two black spots" for the project owner is no longer so. First of all, it concerns the public toilets located opposite the Lincoln Hotel, which were squatted by people refusing to evacuate them. It has been learned that the city has found a compromise with them and that, consequently, the work concerning the construction of a station has already begun at this precise location. The second blockage consisted of another illegal operation at the Hay Hassani level. It concerns untitled housing falling under the AUDA zone (Agency for the Urbanisation and Development of Anfa). The latter has resolved the problem and the tramway line work is underway in the said zone. In some places, the stop stations are starting to sprout and the street furniture is taking shape little by little. Regarding traffic, certain arteries have now taken their final direction, after the changes that were taking place regularly throughout this past year. This is the case of the surroundings of the United Nations Square, the Panoramique boulevard, or even at the level of the faculties. At this location, traffic is no longer possible in only one direction. The various stakeholders (traffic commission, police services, the city, etc.) have opted for traffic on a circular axis. In this sense, entry is made through the boulevard, while exit is made through the Alaymoune district.
Communication and surprise
The communication campaign around the tramway is in full swing. For a few days now, the quarterly tramway construction site magazine, published by the project owner, has been distributed in bakeries, grocery stores, snack bars, and various shops. Issue 3 having been printed in 50,000 copies, the next one will be in 70,000.
Two mobile kiosks, for the distribution of flyers, have been set up, one at Mohammed V Square and the other at Hay Hassani. Awareness is also being raised there regarding the behaviour that motorists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians must adopt once the tramway becomes operational.
Vigilance is the cornerstone of this campaign. In parallel, placemats on which various messages about the new signage are printed will now be on the tables of fast-food restaurants. During Ramadan, flyers will be distributed at mosques. And for the resumption of the national football championship, a surprise awaits fans of the round ball. Casa Transport is, in fact, thinking about an unusual action that will target the "ultras" of the two Casablanca clubs.
