On the fast lane

TDT | Manama

Works are progressing fast at Sar Intersection which includes the construction of a new twolane 800-metre bridge capable of handling 3,600 vehicles per hour. The project, funded by Saudi Fund for Development, has a total cost of 13,750,000 dinars.

This came as Minister of Works, Municipal Affairs, and Urban Planning, Essam Khalaf visited the project to site between Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Street and Sheikh Issa Bin Salman Street to review its progress. Director of Roads Projects and Maintenance Department, Syed Badralawi, was present.

The minister said the project, once completed, will allow traffic to move freely towards Sheikh Isa bin Salman Street without halting on Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Street thereby alleviating the congestion at both the streets.

“Increased capacity also means increased safety, especially during peak hours, as it is capable of handling 45,000 vehicles per day,” the minister said. The carrying capacity of the current ramp is 900 vehicles per hour (17,300 vehicles per day), while is currently handling 5,000 vehicles per hour or 96,000 vehicles per day, meaning the volume of traffic exceeds five times its absorptive capacity.

Explaining, the minister said the bridge’s construction also employs a new technology which depends on casting the upperparts and then assembling it. Around 28 per cent construction of the upper bridge is completed, with 100 pc completion in the foundation and nearly 82pc completion in bridge columns.

The minister added: “The new technology also avoids the need to divert and disrupt the traffic flow.” An Alliance of Al-Ghanem Contracting and Al-Fahd Contracting Company are the project contractors.