Work has started on the expansion of Wali Al Ahad Highway, a key link for the Riffa area to Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway and Hamad Town in Bahrain.

 

Wali Al Ahad Highway is vital road as it contains a number of important facilities and institutions on both sides, such as the Bahrain Defence Force Hospital, the Military Consumer Association, the Southern Governorate Security Police Department, the Supreme Council for Women, Wadi Al Sail Mall, Wadi Al Sail School, Wadi Al Sail Housing Project and other important establishments, said a statement from Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning. 

 

The aim is to boost the capacity of the highway and alleviate traffic congestions, especially after the opening of Wadi Al Sail Mall. The highway witnesses a traffic volume of around 73,000 vehicles daily, it stated.  

 

The first phase of the BD1.96-million ($5.2 million) project includes expansion of the highway to three lanes in each direction and revamping all intersections along the highway, in addition to re-constructing the highway infrastructure, construction of brick pavements, implementing a storm water drainage network, lighting, signage and protecting the existing services, said the ministry in a statement. The project was earlier awarded by the Tender Board.   

 

The expansion work is aimed at providing a smoother traffic movement along Wali Al Ahad Highway, being the main road linking Riffa to Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway and Hamad Town, explained Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf, the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning.

 

The work will be implemented based on the available capabilities and resources related to the present ground services, he added.-TradeArabia News Service