Highway expansion hit by metro project

A MAJOR expansion of a key highway leading to Bahrain International Airport has been derailed pending finalisation of the proposed Bahrain Metro project.

The Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry has told the Muharraq Municipal Council that work on expanding the Airport Highway has been put on hold until the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry presents its plans for the metro.

However, council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman and airport area councillor Bassem Al Majdami said yesterday that both the projects were vital to the development of the country, but the highway expansion could not be delayed.

He added that now was the best time to start work on expanding the highway since traffic was relatively low due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“When things pick up and the place returns to full capacity it will be so much more difficult to carry out any roadwork.

“Anyway, the metro lines will be metres above the ground so any work on the highway will not be affected.”

Mr Al Majdami said during peak hours, it took people a long time to get in and out of the airport area.

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/979849/Highway-expansion-hit-by-metro-project