A major upgrade of National Charter and King Hamad highways is in the pipeline, with both routes included in the next phase of strategic road development plans, it has been revealed.
The move follows a proposal by the Southern Municipal Council, which has long called for improvements to ease mounting pressure on the key arteries linking expanding residential, industrial and investment zones in the Southern Governorate to the wider national road network.
In an official response presented during the council’s meeting, Works Ministry Under-Secretary Shaikh Mishal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa confirmed that both highways have been included in upcoming development plans.
“The ministry places great importance on developing both highways due to their strategic role as two main arteries linking vital areas in the south of the kingdom to the wider road network,” said Shaikh Mishal.
“A consultancy services project to study the development of both roads has been incorporated into the plans for the next phase.”
He explained that the scope and nature of the revamp will be determined by the outcomes of the study, which will be carried out in co-ordination with all relevant authorities.
“The development will be approved and implemented in accordance with the study’s findings, and updates will be provided at every stage as appropriate.”
For the council, the confirmation signals the beginning of what could be one of the most significant road upgrades in recent years.
Both highways are considered strategic corridors not only for residents but also for heavy vehicles, industrial transport and tourism traffic heading towards Zallaq and the southern coastline.
Shaikh Mishal emphasised that co-ordination will be key.
“Such projects require alignment with multiple entities to ensure that development supports long-term urban planning, safety standards and traffic efficiency across the kingdom,” he said.
Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif said the two highways have effectively become the backbone of daily life in the south.
“These are no longer just highways, they are lifelines for residents, workers, investors and logistics movement,” he said.
“Entire residential blocks, industrial zones and commercial developments depend on them every day.”
He noted that rapid expansion in areas such as East Riffa, Zallaq, Askar and Jaw as well as the growing coastal developments have dramatically increased traffic volumes over the years.
“What we are seeing today is usage far beyond what these roads were originally designed to handle. Planning ahead now is crucial to avoid serious congestion problems in the future.”
While no design details have yet been released, engineers and planners expect the study to explore options such as additional lanes, redesigned interchanges, smart traffic integration, service roads and improved access to surrounding developments.
Mr Abdullatif said the council’s vision goes beyond widening asphalt.
“We are talking about smarter highways – roads that work with future traffic technology, improved safety systems and better connectivity to residential and investment zones.”
For motorists who regularly experience bottlenecks during peak hours, the announcement offers hope that relief is on the horizon – even if the first step is a detailed study.
“This is future-proofing Bahrain’s southern gateway,” said Mr Abdullatif. “We are planning not for today’s traffic, but for the Bahrain of tomorrow.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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