A PLANNED BD20 million revamp of a section of a major highway linking the capital with the north is expected to ease traffic flow and inject new life into the surrounding areas.
A flyover and new lanes are part of the expansion of the Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Highway which stretches from Mina Salman to King Fahad Causeway and is chock-a-block with vehicles throughout the day.
Residents and visitors of Bu Quwah, dubbed as the Ghost Town in the Northern Governorate, have often complained of experiencing difficulties reaching their destinations as they either have to go all the way to the Janabiya Junction and take a U-turn to reach Manama or take the adjacent Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway.
“The current network is old and does not take into account the surge in traffic flow in the area,” Northern Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman and area councillor Faisal Shabib told the GDN.
“Agreed, the Shaikh Isa Highway has undergone multiple revamps over the years to expand it to cope with the increased traffic, whilst also addressing rapid urbanisation and surge in population, but it still falls short of expectations,” he added.
“We acknowledge that technical issues, lack of necessary budgets and setbacks caused by the pandemic have put many projects in limbo, but the country is now recovering and the BD20m revamp is needed now more than before.
“Artist’s impressions are ready and a partial budget has already been set aside from the $10 billion GCC Development Fund. However, if the full amount is not allocated, a tender will have to be issued early next year, which means more delay.”
Mr Shabib added that expanding the arterial road is vital to the country’s network but having the flyover is as much important, with plans to postpone it until roadworks are completed on the new lanes.
“Without the flyover which will link Bu Quwah with Salmabad, residents of Bu Quwah will continue facing difficulties reaching their destinations as they will have to travel long distances to either change direction or take an alternative route,” said Mr Shabib.
“Many businesses have moved out of Bu Quwah, while the prices of plots and properties have significantly decreased, as people prefer adjacent Salmabad due to easy accessibility.
“We want to inject new life into Bu Quwah, which still has the potential to become a destination for residential and commercial projects. But it all depends on key infrastructural projects getting the go-ahead.”
Mr Shabib pointed out that roadworks will be accompanied with new sewage networks and other needed services.
“There is keenness from the government to resolve the problems associated with the highway and its surrounding areas, but things need to move at a faster pace,” he said.
“The more things get delayed, the more expensive and difficult they become.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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