Work on new causeway linking Muharraq and Bahrain Bay gathering pace
CONSTRUCTION of a new 10-lane causeway that will connect Muharraq with Bahrain Bay, in Manama, will start in the second quarter.
The BD100 million project is due to be completed by 2020 and is part of the larger Muharraq Ring Road scheme.
It will consist of five lanes in either direction, as well as shaded walkways for pedestrians, and link the Bahrain Bay development with Busaiteen.
Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry communications director Fahad Buallay said it was being paid for by the Gulf Development Fund, a $10 billion infrastructure grant pledged by Bahrain’s neighbours in 2011.
“The bridge is to link the new area of Busaiteen in Muharraq with the north Manama causeway area at Bahrain Bay,” explained Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry’s communications director Fahad Buallay.
“The causeway height is 90m and estimated cost is BD100m financed by the Saudi Development Fund, which is part of the GCC Development Fund.”
Reclamation and levelling work has already been completed, while traffic studies have also been conducted.
The project was ordered by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa last year and is in line with directives by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, to increase traffic lanes where possible to reduce congestion.
“The project is highly strategic because it links Muharraq to Manama and eases traffic in many ways in residential areas, including Galali, Sameehej, Dair and Amwaj Islands,” said Mr Buallay.
“There is also the up-and-coming Diyar Al Muharraq and this causeway and ring road strategically forecasts the growing use of roads network in such developing residential and commercial areas.
“It also eases the transport of goods and commerce for commercial and industrial areas directly and indirectly.”
It will be the fourth bridge linking Manama and Muharraq and is expected to result in reduced traffic on the three existing connections, as well as in the Seef and Diplomat areas.
“It will directly improve traffic by distributing commercial traffic between Muharraq and Manama, especially those en route to the Diplomatic Area, Financial Harbour and Bahrain Bay,” said Mr Buallay.
“It also creates free-flowing, non-stop traffic from King Fahad Causeway to the Prince Khalifa bin Salman Port in Hidd for commercial and business-oriented transport.”
Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/194962/New-causeway-work-gathering-pace
