Two landmark monuments that have been hindering the revamp of roads leading to Bahrain International Airport (BIA) will be bulldozed as early as next month.
The 50-year-old Waterfall and Falcon Monuments on opposite directions of the Khalifa Al Kabeer Avenue will be removed to pave way for a new flyover which is expected to put an end to the roller-coaster ride people have to take to reach the airport.
The empty space will also be used to build new widened routes for area residents and visitors.
The plan was yesterday given the unanimous go-ahead by the Muharraq Municipal Council – meaning it is now up to Works Minister Ibrahim Al Hawaj to arrange for the demolition of the monuments.
Mr Al Hawaj has already informed the council that the scope of work includes constructing a left-turn flyover, reclamation work to accommodate the flyover and a new culvert at Arad Bay replacing the existing culvert.
He added that a new temporary signalised junction was also planned at the left turn from Khalifa Al Kabeer Avenue onto Arad Highway.
Also the associated works include: Pedestrian ramps, road markings, safety and noise barriers, landscaping, utility diversions, storm drainage and street lighting.
The Arad Highway would be turned into an oval with free flow traffic with the traffic light from the airport direction to Arad being cancelled, similar to what has been done with the Al Fateh Highway, the minister also pointed out.
Three top construction companies have come forward with BD27 million, BD30m and BD38m bids.
He added that this is all part of phase one to improve the airport accessibility.
Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar said if the much-loved monuments had to make way for the greater good, then so be it.
“These structures are made of stone and could be replaced with others resembling them in future,” he said.
“The cost of relocating the monuments is so high that we have taken the unanimous decision to have them bulldozed.
“The Pottery Monument in A’ali was also dismantled to pave the way for an expansion of the Shaikh Zayed Highway, and later on a replica was erected in a nearby location.”
Mr Al Naar said the Khalifa Al Kabeer Avenue and the Airport Highway, amongst other adjacent routes, will see massive developments that will include flyovers and expansions.
Mr Al Hawaj told MPs last month that work on the third phase of the airport roads development will see the flyover built in the Falcon monument junction area.
It will connect directly to the departures terminal, without the need to drive all the way to Arad Bay to make a U-turn to reach the airport, he added.
The fourth phase would see the linking of the Muharraq Ring Road with the Airport Highway by developing Avenue 20 running between the airport and Busaiteen.
The ministry had earlier completed the first and second phases of the project, including revamping the existing road network to streamline traffic heading to the new airport terminal, in addition to parking lots and other associated facilities.
In the first phase, Road 2403 running parallel to the airport was converted into a one-way from the airport roundabout to Arad Highway.
The second phase witnessed the airport’s roundabout replaced with traffic lights as well as re-routing and expanding Khalifa Al Kabeer Avenue and Arad Highway.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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