Bahrain’s Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning has launched the development project of a major intersection to develop urgent solutions to reduce traffic congestion on the main road network, a media report said.

The move follows the directives of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, reported Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

Issam bin Abdullah Khalaf, Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning said the action would facilitate traffic coming from Al-Mahzoura Street into Istiklal Street by increasing the number of lanes on the latter to five.

He showed that statistics indicate that the number of vehicles travelling on Al-Istiklal Street is about 50,000 in both directions daily, an average of 3,200 vehicles per hour at peak time. He added the project will reduce traffic congestion by 28 per cent; it also includes the improvement of street lighting.