A proposal to construct a U-turn bridge on Muharraq Ring Road linking Blocks 228 and 229 in Al Sayah, Busaiteen, has been rejected by the Works Ministry on traffic safety and highway design grounds.
The Muharraq Municipal Council had sought the project to ease access between the two residential areas and provide a more direct route to Busaiteen coast.
However, in an official reply to the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, the Works Ministry said the plan does not comply with design standards governing main highways.
Works Ministry Under-Secretary Shaikh Mishal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa said the request had been ‘studied from both traffic and planning perspectives’.
“Providing a U-turn feature within the existing right-of-way in this section does not comply with design standards for main roads, as it would negatively affect the road’s speed and traffic capacity,” he stated.
He explained that the Muharraq Ring Road is classified as a highway, where traffic flow must remain uninterrupted except at carefully spaced and engineered junctions that allow for safe merging and diverging.
“On highways, traffic should not intersect with exits or intersections, except at specific distances that ensure safe and smooth movement,” Shaikh Mishal added.
While declining the immediate request, the ministry indicated that the option had not been ruled out in the long term.
“The provision of a U-turn facility will be considered as part of future road development plans,” he said, noting that motorists can currently use the U-turn at the Diyar Muharraq intersection as an alternative.
Muharraq Municipal Council technical committee chairman and area councillor Mohammed Al Mahmood said the council respected the ministry’s technical assessment, but stressed that the proposal was driven by genuine safety and access concerns raised by residents.
“This recommendation was based on repeated feedback from residents of Blocks 228 and 229, who face difficulty reaching the coastal side and must take longer detours that add time and congestion,” he said.
“Our objective was to improve accessibility, while enhancing safety for motorists in the area, particularly during peak hours when traffic builds up along the Ring Road.”
Mr Al Mahmood added that the council would continue to follow up with the Works Ministry to explore alternative engineering solutions that meet highway standards without compromising traffic flow.
“If a U-turn bridge is not currently feasible within the existing road corridor, we hope future development plans for the area can incorporate a design that addresses residents’ needs in line with technical requirements,” he said.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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