Bahrain, Kuwait agree BHD 85.4m deal for Shaikh Jaber Highway upgrade

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A KWD 70 million (BHD 85.4 million) finance plan has been agreed between Bahrain’s government and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to fund Phase Two of the Shaikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah Highway upgrade.

Parliament is set to debate the framework next week.

The scheme, which runs until late 2031, includes the construction of five flyovers along an 11-kilometre stretch.

The funding will be provided as seven annual loans of KWD 10 million each, spread across the fiscal years 2024/25 to 2030/31.

The works will widen the highway from three to four lanes in both directions and include the construction of five bridges above existing junctions. Each bridge will be about 18 metres wide, with a combined length of 850 metres.

Salman Al-Fateh Road, which branches from the highway, will be expanded to four lanes over a two-kilometre section, about 18 metres wide in each direction. Four at-grade intersections will be added. Six service-road links, totalling about six kilometres on both sides of the highway, will serve nearby showrooms and commercial and administrative buildings.

Construction will also include storm-water drainage, lighting, safety features and environmental works, such as planting and streetscape improvements along both roads. Consultancy services will review detailed designs and supervise project delivery.

The programme is divided into four parts: land acquisition; preparatory works to relocate and protect underground services; civil works for roads and bridges; and consultancy. The widened highway will measure about 19.2 metres in each direction.

The project aims to ease travel and freight movement between the Southern and Capital Governorates, shorten journey times, reduce accidents, and lower vehicle operating and maintenance costs.