Rusting old oil pipelines, once a familiar site running parallel alongside many busy roads, are now being systematically removed as part of major plans to realign and redesign major arteries across the kingdom.
Northern Municipal Council vice-chairwoman Zaina Jassim revealed that Wali Al Ahad Highway, Al Riffa Avenue and Al Mouaskar Highway, as well as other routes, are under development.
She revealed that the original plan had been for partial expansions but the Works Ministry has now suspended all planned roadworks for specific redesigns to make maximum use of the extra space.
“Some of these pipelines have been out of use for years and were an obstacle to the progress we needed in our road network system,” explained Ms Jassim. “By removing them, we are not only clearing the way for expansion but also ensuring that outdated infrastructure no longer poses a hazard.
“The original plans for these highways involved partial expansions to address growing traffic congestion. However, the Works Ministry has decided to suspend all planned roadworks in favour of more comprehensive redesigns.
“The ministry is taking a more strategic approach by re-evaluating the proposed designs to ensure the expansions are efficient and sustainable over the long term.”
Ms Jassim said the move comes amid increasing demand for better road connectivity across Bahrain.
“With rising traffic volumes and urban growth, expanding these highways is seen as a critical step to improve mobility and reduce congestion in key areas,” she said. “These roads are vital arteries for residents and businesses, and their expansion will significantly improve the flow of traffic.
“We are also prioritising the safety and convenience of road users by ensuring the new designs meet international modern standards.”
While the redesigns are being finalised, the council is working closely with the Works Ministry to ensure minimal disruption to both residents and commuters.
“This is not just about roadworks, it’s about transforming outdated infrastructure into assets that will benefit the public for years to come,” said Ms Jassim. “The expanded highways are expected to play a key role in supporting Bahrain’s economic development by facilitating smoother transportation and logistics.”
In a letter earlier sent to the Northern Municipal Council, Bapco Energies has said that the original oil pipelines network was more than 70 years old and a new line that feeds Bapco with crude oil from Saudi Arabia was launched in November 2018.
In 2019, Bahrain announced that it had found an additional 80 billion barrels of tight oil and deep gas reserves approximately 10 to 20 trillion cubic feet off Bahrain’s southwest coast.
Conservative estimates suggest the discovery could double Bahrain’s current output of around 200,000 barrels of oil per day.
The GDN earlier reported that plans to remove the ageing oil pipelines were put on hold so that they could be used for the newly discovered oil, but the move was later deemed unnecessary.
In the letter, Bapco Energies authorised the government to start dismantling the pipelines.
Ms Jassim said a major part of Wali Al Ahd Highway is in her constituency and the traffic congestion has proved to be a daily headache. Many motorists blast their car horns in frustration repeatedly with vehicles sometime trapped in queues for 40 to 50 minutes on average in peak periods.
“There are several businesses, outlets, shopping centres, a military camp and a private school on the highway and it is not an easy drive around there,” she said. “The nearby King Fahad Causeway is bustling with traffic that appears to be beyond its capacity as people from Saudi Arabia come to visit Bahrain, and unfortunately they are also caught up in the gridlock too.”
Councillors in both the Northern and Southern Municipal Councils are calling for the speed of the expansion projects to be improved, with necessary funding secured by the government from the National Assembly in the 2025-2026 national state budget.
“Things are becoming more complicated than what they were a few years ago, and there has to be quick technical, financial and administrative review,” said Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif.
“The road expansions have to start by the end of this year at the latest or early next year to avoid further pressure on the road network.
“The necessary funding has to be secured through the national state budget.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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