Major airport road revamp on track
MAJOR revamp work on a key road leading to the new airport terminal will be completed in time for this month’s scheduled launch, it has been pledged.
A high-level inspection of the entrance to Bahrain International Airport was conducted yesterday by Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf, who said phases one and two of the project were nearing completion.
Inspection
The GDN previously reported that all roads leading to the airport are being revamped in four phases as part of the $1.1 billion Airport Modernisation Programme (AMP).
As part of the first phase, Road 2403 that runs parallel to the airport has been converted into a one-way road from the airport roundabout to Arad Highway.
The second phase has seen the airport’s roundabout replaced with traffic lights, along with re-routing and expansion of Khalifa Al Kabeer Avenue and Arad Highway.
Mr Khalaf said yesterday that the project was in its final stages, with all major roadworks completed as the ministry was now installing necessary traffic signs.
Additional work such as installing greenery and beautification along with the conversion of 66 kV high-voltage power cables from Khalifa Al Kabeer Avenue and Arad Highway to Road 2403 is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year.
“The ministry is preparing to open Road 2403 of the project in several stages in co-operation with the Bahrain Airport Company, in line with the stages of opening the new airport building during this February,” said Mr Khalaf in a statement.
“Road 2403 has been converted into a one-way east-bound road with three lanes, in addition to a service road that serves branch outlets on the south side of the street.
“Also, a road was constructed as an exit from the airport on Road 2403 to the west towards the new traffic light for the intersection of Airport Highway and Khalifa Al Kabeer Avenue.”
Phases
The minister added that the two phases were part of an integrated four-phase project that aimed to improve the existing road network and raise its efficiency to ensure smooth flow of traffic and access to the airport building with the new expansion and associated facilities.
Also present at the inspection visit were director of roads projects and maintenance Bader Alawi and a number of senior engineers and officials.
During the third phase Khalifa Al Kabeer Avenue and Arad Highway will be developed and expanded from the Falcon Monument Junction; the traffic lights will be removed and replaced with overhead bridges to provide free traffic to Street 46.
While the fourth phase will involve linking Muharraq Ring Road and Airport Highway by developing Avenue 20, going through the airport’s area and Busaiteen.
Passengers
Bahrain International Airport currently handles around nine million passengers a year, but once the new terminal is fully operational it is expected to handle up to 14m travellers annually.
The new 207,000sqm terminal building will include a 4,600sqm departure hall, 104 check-in counters, 36 passport control booths and 24 security screening points. It is four times the size of the existing terminal with a multi-storey car park having a total capacity of 2,700 parking spaces for passengers and visitors and a state-of-the-art retail area.
