Ministry of Works Steps Up Road Maintenance Ahead of School Year

TDT | Manama

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The Ministry of Works in Bahrain has intensified its efforts to maintain major roads and bridges, aiming to complete a significant portion of the work before the start of the new academic year. The new school year is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, September 4th.

The ministry announced on its social media platforms that a countdown has begun for the completion of road maintenance projects. However, a specific completion date was not provided.

Sources have confirmed that the ministry will finish the majority of road maintenance work, particularly on major roads, before the start of the new school year. Remaining work will be carried out during the night in September to avoid traffic congestion.

The ministry has also announced several new road closures on major streets, which will continue until the last day before the start of the school year. The Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway will see a partial closure at the Farooq Intersection bridge from August 29th to September 3rd.

On the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Highway, partial closures will be in place on the Bahrain Map bridge for eastbound traffic from August 23rd to September 3rd. Janabiya Avenue will also have a partial closure for northbound traffic towards Budaiya from August 29th to September 3rd. Finally, there will be a complete closure of Shaikh Hamad Avenue in Muharraq, specifically the section between Road 1129 and Al Tujjar Avenue

The Ministry of Works began a large-scale maintenance operation in July, covering major roads, bridges, and intersections across the country.

This is one of the largest simultaneous road maintenance operations in the Kingdom's history. The maintenance work includes five bridges: Al Sahla Intersection, Al Jasra Intersection bridge, Tubli Intersection bridge (Bahrain Map Intersection), Wadi Al Sail Intersection bridge, and Umm Al Hassam Intersection bridge. Five major roads are also being maintained: Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway (the largest highway in the kingdom, connecting Manama to Sakhir), Zallaq Highway, December 16th Highway, Hidd Avenue, and Nasser bin Jabr Al Jabr Avenue.

The ministry has urged road users to utilise alternative routes and follow traffic diversions in areas undergoing maintenance to avoid congestion.

Sources have emphasised that the maintenance work is part of a comprehensive plan to maintain the road network and ensure its sustainability. The plan includes regular preventive maintenance of key elements to maintain safety and achieve the overall vision of providing high-quality, safe roads. The maintenance also aims to enhance road safety on these bridges and intersections.

The ministry has also confirmed that the maintenance operation aims to preserve the road network, ensure its sustainability, enhance safety, and avoid the need for costly new road construction. The ministry sets a lifespan for each road, allowing for cost-effective maintenance instead of complete reconstruction.