A major section of a key highway connecting Manama to the south of the Bahrain will be closed in both directions for six months as work on a new flyover starts.

The BD7.5-million ($19.7 million) project along the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway is expected to reduce traffic congestion on roads leading to Hamad Town, Zallaq and Bahrain University, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry has set up diversions in the form of two parallel lanes for motorists heading from Manama to Zallaq, which will be open from tomorrow.

“The project will play a significant role in reducing traffic congestion by 40 per cent during morning and noon rush hours on these major intersections,” ministry public relations and media director Fahad Al Bually told the GDN yesterday.

“The ministry along with its partners in Urban Planning Affairs, which is within the ministry, conducted a survey which projected significant urbanisation that will boost housing and population in Hamad Town areas of Roundabout 13 and 20.”

The project will include a four-lane dual flyover, addition of two lanes to the existing highway in each direction to connect Roundabout 13 and 18 in Hamad Town.

“The closure is to take place in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Traffic,” said the ministry's acting roads projects and maintenance director Sayyed Bader Alawi.

“Scaffolds are to be installed on the closed part prior to the casting of the concrete.

“This project will alleviate traffic congestion along the Shaikh Hamad Highway and other internal roads in Hamad Town.”

Alawi said 50 per cent of the foundation work has been completed along with 70 per cent of the flyover structure.

He said 72 per cent of road works linking Roundabout 13 and 18 has been finalised.

“The new flyover will provide a direct access to Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway specifically for the traffic coming from Roundabout 18, the residential areas in the vicinity and other villages,” he added.

The flyover and additional roads will serve as the third entrance to Hamad Town from the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway.

The project is being implemented as part of GCC Fund Programme, and was awarded by the Tender Board in co-ordination with the Saudi Development Fund to a consortium of Nass Contracting and Al Yamama Company. - TradeArabia News Service