Construction of a new 10-lane causeway that will connect Muharraq with Bahrain Bay in Manama will start in the second quarter.

The BD100-million ($265 million) project is due to be completed by 2020 and is part of the larger Muharraq Ring Road scheme.

It will consist of five lanes in either direction, as well as shaded walkways for pedestrians, and link the Bahrain Bay development with Busaiteen.

Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry communications director Fahad Buallay said it was being paid for by the Gulf Development Fund, a $10-billion infrastructure grant pledged by Bahrain’s neighbours in 2011.

“The bridge is to link the new area of Busaiteen in Muharraq with the north Manama causeway area at Bahrain Bay,” explained Buallay. 

Reclamation and levelling work has already been completed, while traffic studies have also been conducted.

“The project is highly strategic because it links Muharraq to Manama and eases traffic in residential areas, including Galali, Sameehej, Dair and Amwaj Islands,” said Buallay.

It will be the fourth bridge linking Manama and Muharraq. “It will directly improve traffic by distributing commercial traffic between Muharraq and Manama, especially those en route to the Diplomatic Area, Financial Harbour and Bahrain Bay,” said Buallay.