Major improvements to a busy commercial road in Bahrain’s Northern Governorate have still not been carried out, after seven years.

Residents have been complaining about traffic accidents and congestion clogging up on the ‘dangerous’ two-lane Wali Al Ahd Highway in Hamala, which was supposed to undergo a revamp in October 2008, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Minor upgrades were made by the Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry, but work was stalled due to problems with oil pipelines on one side and businesses on the other.

However, the Northern Municipal Council said motorists spend more than an hour on the road every day as they try to reach the business area or join the main highway.

"We can't deny that the ministry has carried out work on the road, but it was more of remodelling the platform rather than solutions to the problem," said council chairman Mohammed Buhamood.

"The place is popular for customers from across the country and GCC visitors using the King Fahad Causeway.

"It has turned into a commercial district, but one-lane in both directions doesn't match the huge traffic and without proper planning it is seeing heavy congestion and accidents."

Buhamood said several fatal accidents have happened on the highway as motorists attempt to overtake each other to avoid being stuck in traffic jams.

"The whole situation is dangerous and unless attention is given to it, more lives could be lost," he warned.

"As planned, the ministry should have turned part of the highway into a dual-carriageway by taking land from the shops and businesses nearby, but these have been delayed as the government waits to acquire it from owners.

"The pipelines issue is another thing that needs addressing since we heard that it is not being used anymore with other networks being active, but still nothing has been done to remove them."

He urged authorities to take urgent measures because it would be difficult to address the situation later as more businesses open in the area.

"Waiting for more than an hour is something that is unacceptable," he added.

"This route is not just any road, it is the nerve of the road network in the governorate because it connects to major parts of Bahrain." - TradeArabia News Service