This marks a crucial step in opening up the Soummam Valley. The secretary general of the wilaya, managing local affairs, Said Yahiaoui, inaugurated Saturday morning the Sidi-Aich interchange at PK 43. A vital linchpin of the highway feeder line connecting Bejaia to the East-West Highway, this strategic infrastructure brings relief to heavily congested road networks.
The ceremony unfolded before a broad institutional delegation, underscoring the importance of this project for regional development. Alongside Mr. Yahiaoui, the Director General of Algerienne des Autoroutes (ADA), Said Chouaib, the President of the Popular Wilaya Assembly (APW), Mohand Cherif Maameri, and Public Works Director Tahar Oudane attended the event. Parliamentary representatives, the head of the Sidi-Aich daira, local mayors from Sidi-Aich and El-Flaye, as well as executives from the Chinese construction firm executing the work, were also present.
“We stand here today to inaugurate this strategic piece of infrastructure for the Soummam region. Spanning over 1.2 kilometers, this installation will unlock around 20 municipalities across all directions,” stated Mr. Yahiaoui during his speech.
He added that “this facility will resolve numerous traffic-related obstacles,” announcing that cosmetic improvements around the roundabout and its surrounds will proceed shortly. Emphasizing “the critical necessity of ensuring optimal operational conditions,” the secretary general urged “rigorous coordination of technical and administrative procedures to preserve its longevity for road users.”
Measuring over 1.2 kilometers, the interchange now directly links the Ath Waghlis and Ath Yemel regions to the feeder highway. It provides smoother access to the town of Sidi-Aich and adjacent municipalities across the dairas of Sidi-Aich, Chemini, and Ouzellaguen.
The outcome of completed roundabout arrangements, connecting lanes, and installed road signage, this facility fulfills multiple objectives, chief among them the alleviation of traffic jams. It aims to offer lasting relief to National Route 26, a vital artery currently strained by heavy traffic flows.
The interchange is expected to optimize travel times by reducing journey durations while easing daily commutes for residents and freight transportation. Additionally, it improves driving conditions and accessibility across the various served localities.
The Public Works Directorate (DTP) characterized this commissioning as a “pivotal asset” for regional infrastructure, pointing to its “driving role” in boosting economic and social dynamics throughout the Soummam Valley.
Beyond its immediate local effect, this interchange demonstrates progress on the mega-project of the 100-kilometer Bejaia-Ahnif feeder highway. Currently, 90% of this arterial highway is open to traffic. Despite technical hurdles encountered by construction contractors along the final stretches, work continues across the remaining 10%, bringing the region closer to full project completion.
While the Sidi-Aich interchange has now been officially opened, marking a major milestone in smoothing traffic flow and unlocking the territory, the realization of the Boudjellil interchange project—located further upstream toward Tazmalt daira and downstream toward Ighil-Ali daira—remains pending.
Although multiple proposals and technical assessments have highlighted the necessity of upgrading this zone to serve National Route 26 and link the Soummam to the East-West Highway, the project continues to be eagerly awaited by local communities. Its realization would unlock the upper Soummam Valley, improve connections for roughly thirty villages and municipalities spanning Bejaia and neighboring Bouira districts, enhance road safety, and boost regional trade.