Bahrain has announced the opening of the first phase of the North Isa Town Interchange project, allowing traffic onto a new flyover designed to ease congestion on one of the kingdom's busiest highways.

The project is part of Bahrain's wider infrastructure development programme and aims to improve traffic flow and connectivity between Riffa, A'ali, Sanad, Salmabad and Isa Town, reported BNA.

The newly-opened flyover consists of three lanes in each direction along Shaikh Salman Highway, a major route linking the Capital, Northern and Southern governorates. 

Speaking at the opening, Minister of Works Ebrahim bin Hasan Al Hawaj said the opening marks a key milestone in the project's implementation and will help improve traffic flow while enabling work on the remaining phases to continue.

“The project is one of the strategic infrastructure projects overseen by the Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects, chaired by Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister. It aims to enhance the efficiency of Bahrain's road network, improve traffic flow, and strengthen connectivity between several key areas, including Riffa, A'ali, Sanad, Salmabad and Isa Town,” he stated.

It includes the redevelopment of the junction of Shaikh Salman Highway with Amman Avenue and Salmabad Avenue through the construction of a grade-separated interchange. 

Al Hawaj said the existing at-grade junction will also be upgraded with traffic signals to improve vehicle movement on Amman Avenue and Salmabad Avenue.

The works also include the construction of a stormwater drainage network, road paving, pavement improvements, landscaping and the installation of traffic safety systems, he added.