The Bouregreg Valley Development Agency is pressing ahead with plans to build a tram network linking Rabat with Sale. Consultants have until 12 December to submit offers for the design and construction supervision contract.

The estimated MD 2,500 million ($295 million) scheme calls for the construction of two tramway lines crossing the Bouregreg river, linking the two cities and catering to BVDA's multi-billion dollar real estate development located on the river bank (MEED 13:1:06). The red line will be 11.7 kilometres long, include 22 stations and run from the capital's university to Hay Karima in Sale. The first stage is scheduled to be operational by 2010 with civil works beginning next year. The project will have about 30 packages with a view to encouraging local firms to participate.

The second phase will centre on the construction of a 7.8-kilometre green line with 14 stations and extending from the Yacoub el-Mansour district in Rabat to the Carrefour Bettana in Sale.

Once completed, the tramway will have capacity of about 10,000 passengers an hour in both directions. A consortium led by France's Semaly completed the transport masterplan and tram feasibility study. France's Systra is the technical consultant.