Muharraq Municipal Council revives BD12m bridge and coastline upgrade plans

A proposed bridge between Muharraq and Arad, expected to cost about BD12 million, was returned to the agenda by the Muharraq Municipal Council yesterday.

The council also approved a recommendation to proceed with feasibility work for upgrading the Al Dair and Samaheej coastline.

Deputy chairman Saleh BuHazza said the bridge would help ease movement between the two areas and reduce congestion on Muharraq’s roads during peak hours.

Plans

He said engineering designs and technical plans should be prepared so the project can be presented to the relevant bodies.

The idea, he added, has been raised for years, with traffic growth adding weight to calls to move it forward.

On the coastal scheme, the Council approved the Services and Public Utilities Committee’s recommendation after reviewing earlier updates stating that financial and technical feasibility studies are being prepared in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, ahead of presenting the project through the Government Investment Platform.

Aim

The aim is to set aside public waterfront spaces for leisure, support domestic tourism and attract investment tied to the development of coastal areas.

Members also discussed a request to allocate a park on a vacant plot in Arad to provide space for families within residential neighbourhoods, and considered setting aside an adjacent plot for car parks to serve residents and ease local congestion.

Council member Ahmed Al Moqahwi called for better use of vacant land for parks and parking.

Control

He also urged closer control of leasing agricultural plots near housing, saying some had been turned into livestock pens. Al Moqahwi said violations had been recorded and referred to the competent authorities.

In East Hidd, council member Mohammed Al Moqahwi called for new access points and streets, especially in Block 118 on Road 20, to reduce traffic queues linked to population growth following housing projects and new apartment buildings.

Routes

He said the limited number of current entry and exit routes has led to clear congestion during peak periods.

The councillor also called for an added access point to support emergency vehicles, including police, ambulance and Civil Defence.

Al Moqahwi further urged maintenance and resurfacing of Road 20 in the Bu Shahin neighbourhood, citing heavy daily truck traffic and the need to improve drainage and road quality in line with the area’s growing needs.