A BUSY and dangerous road in Muharraq will undergo a major expansion costing up to BD6 million, after residents complained about new safety measures put in place less than a year ago.
The safety measures included installing 24 speed bumps in August last year on the key stretch of road that passes by Busaiteen, Samaheej, Dair and Galali.
However, five of them were removed earlier this month after the Muharraq Municipal Council received a petition signed by 189 residents claiming the speed bumps were causing major tailbacks and traffic jams on Raya Highway, which also extends to Hidd.
Residents from all four areas have for months been campaigning against the road safety measures, which were originally put in place following a spate of serious traffic accidents, including a number of fatalities.
The council has demanded the removal of all speed bumps, but officials from the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry have warned that a complete free flow of traffic would cause more fatal accidents.
However, orders were issued by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa during this week’s Cabinet meeting to immediately carry out a major expansion project on the highway, which is located behind Bahrain International Airport.
“The highway will now be two lanes in each direction rather than the existing situation with one lane in both sides,” said Galali area councillor Saleh Buhazaa.
“It will also have entrances and exits from the highway to the four main areas to ensure there are no disruptions in the traffic flow and to reduce congestion.
“The ministry needs to act fast and at least start partial work before life returns to the highway as schools reopen in September.
“The process of consultancy, tendering and construction could be done in three weeks – it was done with other problematic roads in the country.”
He also suggested keeping no more than 10 speed bumps throughout the highway to ensure flow of traffic and at the same time prevent any potential accidents from speeding.
“Eventually, the bumps have to go and be replaced with other safety measures,” added Mr Buhazaa, who is also the council’s technical committee chairman.
“The five that were removed earlier in the month were not the ones that we agreed on following a site inspection.”
Councillor Fadhel Al Oud, who is the council’s services and public utilities committee chairman, pointed out that the highway was not only used by locals but tourists who arrive from the airport and Gulf visitors who want to reach Dragon City.
“The situation with the highway is catastrophic, and the Premier’s directives were made to avoid further deterioration,” said the councillor, whose constituency covers Dair and Samaheej.
“The highway revamp, costing up to BD6m, shows that the government recognises its importance as a main highway, not just serving our areas and developments around us, but also as alternative backdoor to the airport,which is set to witness more traffic even with expansions being made to the Airport Highway.”
He added that he was also advocating to replace all speed bumps with a central barrier consisting of plastic posts that could also prevent motorists from overtaking.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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