The ordeal of degraded roads in Rufisque September 2, 2026
From the Sipres roundabout, near Zac Mbao, to the Le Rivoli road (Rue 1 de Rufisque Est), via the Hlm, particularly near the Pnr du Ter station, motorists and road users suffer martyrdom because of the defective quality of these road infrastructures.
RUFISQUE – Exit 9 of the toll motorway is very busy during rush hours, especially on the way down. A significant flow of vehicles takes this strategic axis towards Rufisque and, in the other direction, Keur Massar, the Dakar suburb.
At the Sipres roundabout, two police officers, whistles in their mouths, regulate to make traffic flow more smoothly. Sometimes, the roundabout is even closed, forcing vehicles to make the big detour to access Zac Mbao.
Far from the traffic jams, what first strikes your attention is the pitiful state of the road. Potholes listed in different locations. This situation makes passage complicated for vehicles and forces them, willy-nilly, to take their foot off the accelerator. Most of them branch off near the median to avoid crevasses and other damaging imperfections.
The ordeal increases especially during the winter period, when these gaping holes are covered in stagnant water. Like a zone of turbulence, inside the cars, especially Tata bus lines, the passengers hang on and waltz between the incessant rolling and pitching movements.
These potholes also litter the axis going from the Naby clinic to the Socabeg city. The vehicles slalom to avoid them.
However, upon receipt of the said 70-meter turning point, completely redone in reinforced concrete by the city, the mayor, Dr Oumar Cissé, made a commitment to fill the potholes along this axis. Until now, these hollows are waiting for covering layers.
Like the Socabeg city, the Hlm axis up to the Ter Pnr station also bears traces of the defective nature of the traffic route. “One night, a public transport car almost suddenly knocked down a “Jakarta” motorcycle driver while trying to avoid the severed speed bump,” says a user.
These speed bumps are also the other problem.
The Route Le Rivoli, an infernal waterfall
Failing to be oversized or undersized, certain speed bumps located in public housing are cut, allowing the iron to show through.
With the construction sites on Boulevard Maurice Guèye, an escape route is indicated by the boards near the Dioutiba roundabout for vehicles leaving for Thiès.
At the Pmu level for betting, up to the edge of the red light, it’s a real obstacle course. The road, made of reinforced concrete, under the weight of heavy trucks, has deteriorated significantly (subsidence of 5, even 10 cm every 3 meters, and a deterioration of the connections of the secondary canals connecting to the main canal).
It brings back an image of waterfall and rapids. Over more than 500 meters, mobility remains a real purgatory. The vehicles are put to the test. With dexterity, the drivers struggle to extricate themselves from this uncomfortable quagmire.
Each depreciation is accompanied by complaints from shaken passengers. “The state of this road is very worrying. The regular passage of trucks has seriously damaged it. Soon, I fear that no vehicle will be able to pass through there,” describes Babacar Badiane, “Jakarta” motorcycle driver.
Parked on the side, this young driver points out that this axis is impassable, especially during winter. “The pitiful state of the road has a negative impact on the car’s components, shock absorbers and others…” he regrets.
Moreover, certain Tata lines and other vehicles go through the market to get around this suffering. This is the case of the carter, Ousmane. “Given the current state of the road, I stopped using it. This is painful for the horse, the driver and the customers. These repeated shocks can cause body pain,” he says.
According to the coach, this secondary route was smooth and in good condition. However, it was unable to contain the significant daily traffic.
A short distance away, sellers display their wares on the closed western canal: men’s shoes. On the other side, entirely paved, young people play football, while older people, sitting on the furnished benches, observe them.
Serigne Khadim Gueye is part of the majority who are diligently demanding the opening of the boulevard (direction Dakar-Thiès). “We are tired. Rufisque chokes. This situation has an impact on the city’s economy,” he emphasizes.
While waiting for the final completion of the Promovilles work on Boulevard Maurice Gueye and its opening, motorists and users of the “Le Rivoli” road will still have to be patient. Its renovation will only take place later.
