Claims that work on key roads leading to the airport would not be completed ahead of the new terminal’s opening have been quashed by a senior official.
The concerns were raised yesterday during the Muharraq Municipal Council’s weekly meeting, where councillors claimed roads leading to Bahrain International Airport were still in need of work and would not open in the first quarter of next year.
Schedule
However, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry Assistant Under-Secretary for Roads Huda Fakhro told the GDN that the project was on schedule with final touches remaining, adding the claims made by councillors were baseless.
The massive infrastructure project aims to improve the existing road network to ensure smooth traffic, access to the airport terminal and parking and other associated facilities.
“We are on track and are working fast to ensure the roads are opened way ahead of the opening of the new airport,” said Ms Fakhro yesterday.
“Councillors’ claims of being behind schedule are baseless and we are now working on the final touches.”
The first phase of the project consists of re-constructing Road 2403, opposite the new airport terminal, and transforming it into a one-way eastward three-lane road.
The second phase has been divided into different stages to ensure the smooth flow of traffic to the airport terminal and surrounding roads.
It includes digging works, reconstruction of the rain drainage network, resurfacing of roads, revamping pavements on the Airport Highway and Khalifa Al Kabeer Highway and the installation of lighting poles and traffic signals.
It also consists of replacing the existing airport roundabout with a traffic light intersection serving the Airport Highway and Khalifa Al Kabeer Highway.
During yesterday’s council meeting, chairman Ghazi Al Murbati accused the ministry of making an “unnecessary mistake” by replacing the roundabout with an intersection.
“Roadworks should have only focused on expanding the roads in a proper way and not the jigsaw they are in now because the ministry wanted to cancel the roundabout, which I clearly see is an unnecessary mistake that stole vital time that could have been spent to address the bigger road networks issue,” he said.
“The ministry was aware of the new terminal years ago and they left work until the end and we fear that the opening of the closed roads would not be done on time.
“From observations it clearly shows they are behind schedule.”
His comments were reiterated by area councillor Bassem Al Majdami, who said roadworks were being pushed back because of frequent changes made to the design.
“Work on the routes in and out of the new airport need to be stepped up that’s for sure,” said Mr Al Majdami, who is also financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman.
“Eventually the roads will open, hopefully before the opening of the new airport, but my worries are more on the full picture related to the whole network.
“It is no good saying we have plans and show artwork when work should have been done a time ago in a comprehensive manner.”
The GDN previously reported that thousands of volunteers are involved in a test-run of the new terminal in the pre-launch trial of the $1.1 billion extension this month and next month.
The new airport modernisation programme is one of the biggest development projects in the history of Bahrain.
Volunteers
The new 207,000sqm terminal building will include a 4,600sqm departure hall, 104 check-in counters, 36 passport control booths and 24 security screening points.
It is four times the size of the existing terminal and will be able to accommodate 14 million passengers a year.
Other features will include two main hospitality lounges, one run by national carrier Gulf Air and the other by Bahrain Airport Company.
A hotel, pharmacy and a privately-managed airport clinic are among amenities that will greet travellers at the terminal.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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