Bahrain is set to build a major bridge that will link capital Manama to Isa Town region to help ease traffic congestion on this route.

It will feature two lanes in the direction towards Isa Town and will connect Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway and Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Highway, with designs scheduled for completion by the end of this year, reported BNA.

The announcement comes following a directive from His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa for the construction of a direct bridge connecting the intersection of the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway to the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Highway to facilitate traffic for those heading from Manama to Isa Town and other region, instead of the current exit to Isa Town from the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway.

HRH Premier also gave instructions to begin the implementation of the second phase of the Jasra Interchange Project, which will ease traffic for those heading from Manama to Janabiya, Budaiya and other towns and villages, said the BNA report.

The Prime Minister also gave directives to put the long-term care centre for chronic diseases in Muharraq to tender, and to revamp the old market in Muharraq by building a number of traditionally-designed commercial shops with integrated services at the site of burnt souq.

HRH Premier gave the orders for implementing a series of development projects that serve the citizens and consolidate the kingdom’s infrastructure during his meeting with Essam bin Abdulla Khalifa, the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister, at the Gudaibiya Palace.

The Prime Minister was updated on the progress of a number of roads and infrastructure projects, currently implemented by the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry across the kingdom.

HRH Premier was also briefed about the development of the intersection between the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway and the Shaikh Isa Highway, which includes a two-lane bridge that leads the traffic coming from the north of the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway directly to the east of the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Highway.

The bridge aims to ease traffic and reduce congestion, and its detailed designs are expected to be ready in the fourth quarter of this year.

He was also given details about the Health Ministry’s long-term care centre for chronic diseases in Muharraq, which is part of a medical centres’ complex, built on the land of the Muharraq Maternity Hospital.

The complex also contains a maternity hospital and a centre for patients with multiple sclerosis, in addition to the existing elderly care centre.

Funded by the Saudi Fund for Development, the BD13.9 million ($37 million)-facility will see the start of construction work in March next year.