Parliament to discuss expanding vital road in the Northern Governorate

Parliamentarians will vote on a proposal to expand a vital road in the Northern Governorate that witnessed severe traffic congestion during rush hours, it was learnt.

The proposal will be submitted by Public Utilities and Environment Parliamentary Committee. Committee members suggested adding two lanes on each side of the existing two-way Wali Al Ahd Highway, alongside Hamala, Jasra and Souq Waqef.

They explained in a report that will be reviewed by the Parliament House on Tuesday that making the vital road a three-lane highway would reduce the congested traffic in the area.

The report mentioned that “Wali Al Ahd Highway is considered as one of the main roads in the Northern Governorate that is packed with service and commercial outlets.”

“The road needs to be re-planned and expanded to serve citizens and residents. The annual increase of registered vehicles in the country requires reconsidering the narrow road, which is unable to accommodate the rising numbers of vehicles,” committee members explained.

They also said that the committee has communicated with the related authorities including Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry and Northern Area Municipal Council.

“The ministry clarified that the existing pipelines on the side of the road near Hamala makes expansion works a far shot, yet, the ministry explained that another expansion project that is being implemented in a nearby highway (Janabiya Highway) would reduce the congested traffic of Wali Al Ahd Highway. The ministry also said it’s studying converting the highway into a one-direction road. The municipal council informed that the expansion project has already been approved,” committee members said.

Wali Al Ahd Highway is one of the busiest roads in the kingdom, as it passes through vital institutions such as schools, markets, farms, cultural centres and some units of Bahrain Defence Force.

The road is also known for fatal accidents. As reported earlier, a woman was killed and another one was injured in a horrific accident that took place on Wednesday.