A MASSIVE new tunnel constructed at the intersection of Al Fateh Highway with Awal Road is expected to be partially open to the traffic during the third quarter of this year, said Works Ministry assistant under-secretary Kadhem Ali Abdullatif.
He made the statement as he inspected the progress of work on the Al Fateh Highway Development to ensure the project is advancing as planned.
“The casting of all the concrete bases for the tunnel has been completed as planned,” he said.
Mr Abdullatif noted that the ministry has opted for the phased opening of the main project elements upon their completion separately.
The project also includes the construction of an overpass with two lanes for traffic going from the north of Manama on Al Fateh Highway to Prince Saud Al Faisal Road in Juffair while the current intersection of Al Fateh Highway with Shaikh Duaij Road will be closed.
An upper bridge with two lanes of U-turns near the entrance to Al Fateh Corniche for traffic heading north is also a key component of the massive project.
The project aims to expand Al Fateh Highway into four lanes in each direction including a three-lane tunnel each way, in addition to the provision of a ground intersection controlled by traffic lights.
Once completed strategic artery will have a capacity to accommodate 140,000 vehicles per day, up by 61 per cent from 87,000 at present.
The Tender Board awarded the infrastructure project to Nass Contracting and Huta Hegerfeld consortium, at a total cost of about BD29.66 million.
The construction work which started in April 2021, is expected to be complete within three years.
Financed by the Saudi Fund for Development, the project is under the supervision of Parsons engineering consultancy firm.
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