First phase of Bahrain’s Sheikh Zayed Highway to go ahead; Western Bainoona Group involved
Project valued at $62 million and vehicle capacity to increase from 50,000 to 80,000
An agreement has been reached that will see the $62 million expansion of the Sheikh Zayed Highway in Bahrain.
According to official UAE news agency WAM, Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Bahrain signed an agreement to launch the first phase of the development project with the Bahraini government yesterday.
Included in the official signing ceremony were Issam bin Abdullah Khalaf, Bahrain’s Minister of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning and representatives of the UAE-based road contractor Western Bainoona Group.
Part of the Gulf Development Programme it is being funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development Fund (ADFD), revealed WAM.
Khalaf stated that the project is a “key part of Bahrain’s efforts to improve its road network,” adding that its first phase will expanding streets to three lanes in each direction, as well as the installation of infrastructure including: new traffic lights, lighting, roadblocks, traffic signs, street renovation, landscaping, and rainwater drainage.
He told WAM that the project will improve Bahrain’s road capacity and solve traffic congestion on Sheikh Zayed Highway as well as Salmabad’s Street No. 12, which are used by some 4,000 vehicles during peak hours and over 50,000 vehicles throughout the day.
Once the project is completed, the highway’s capacity will increase to 80,000 vehicles per day and 6,000 vehicles during peak hours, with waiting times at intersections reduced by over 60%.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning has inked a deal with the UAE’s Western Bainoona Group for the development of phase one of the Sheikh Zayed Highway project in the Kingdom. On completion, the highway’s capacity will increase to 80,000 vehicles per day and 6,000 vehicles during peak hours, while waiting times at intersections will be reduced by over 60%.
The $62m project is part of the Gulf Development Programme and is expected to help reduce traffic congestion in A’ Ali and Salmabad areas. The project also aims to improve Bahrain’s road capacity and solve traffic congestion on Sheikh Zayed Highway, as well as Salmabad’s Street 12.
Issam bin Abdullah Khalaf, Bahrain’s Minister of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning said the project is a key part of the country’s efforts to improve its road network. He made the remark after signing the deal in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Bahrain.
Currently, the roads are used by some 4,000 vehicles during peak hours and over 50,000 vehicles throughout the day, a statement said.
Phase one of the project will see the expansion of various streets to three lanes in each direction, in addition to the installation of new traffic lights, roadblocks, traffic signs, street lighting, street renovation, landscaping, and rainwater drainage.
The project is being financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development Fund (ADFD) and is a strategic project that connects A’ Ali, Salmabad and Zayed City to Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Street, Khalaf explained.
