Development work on key Riffa avenue begins

TDT | Manama

The Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry has started implementing the first phase of the Shaikh Hmood bin Sabah Avenue development project in Riffa. This is in line with the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, to implement a package of projects aimed at improving the quality of services delivered to citizens and achieving the goals of the comprehensive development march in the Kingdom.

Works Minister Eng Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf stressed the ministry’s keenness to develop the roads network across the Kingdom in order to achieve the goals of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, and to meet the needs of citizens and residents for smooth flow of traffic and more road safety.

The Works Minister pointed out that Shaikh Hmood bin Sabah Avenue is a major link between Riffa Avenue, East Riffa and Al Hunayniya, and serves 67 properties, in addition to many government institutions, such as the Military Museum, Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fateh Fort, East Riffa Health Centre, the Family Courts Complex, and many schools.

He added that the area is characterised by its high population density, noting that the road is classified as a commercial avenue and many service facilities are located on its sides, which will enhance the growth of its commercial traffic.

The project will also contribute to facilitating the traffic movement leading to the Hunainiya and Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa avenues, the Works Minister said. He indicated that the project includes the reconstruction of the infrastructure of the 3.8km long Shaikh Hmood bin Sabah Avenue, building a rainwater drainage network and sidewalks on both sides of the road using ground bricks, improving the lighting network, and laying ground channels for use by other technical services to avoid cutting asphalt in the future.

It also includes the provision of necessary traffic and road signs to achieve the required security and safety on the avenue, as it serves commercial activities and public services located on it. The Works Minister asserted that the transport sector is given the utmost attention in the Kingdom as it represents the backbone of the economy, and is closely linked to sustainable development, whose success depends on the availability of road infrastructure, so it is one of the most important sectors that contribute effectively to the Kingdom’s progress. The Works Minister affirmed that such infrastructure projects are expected to boost the Kingdom’s road network and increase its ability to cope with urban and population expansion.