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Residents living in Saar may currently be facing queues, obstacles, dust and dirt as major road works in the area are carried out … but the ministry responsible believes the temporary inconvenience will be well worth it once the major dual carriageway scheme is completed.
The BD2,850,975 Saar Avenue project, which started last September, was set in motion to improve a notoriously busy stretch linking Budaiya Highway and Avenue 35, often referred to as the ‘spine of expat land’.
Numerous compounds, particularly popular with expatriates in managerial positions and those working across the causeway, are located in the area, close to two of the most popular British curriculum schools on the island.
The Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning’s aim is to construct a dual carriageway with fenced medians, five-signalised junctions and seven bus lay-bys within the scheme.
“With the rise of developments around the area, the traffic demand had also amplified so we had to increase the capacity of the road,” explained Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf, the hands-on Minister of Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning, during a recent site visit to Saar Avenue.
“What we are doing is converting it from a single carriageway into a dual carriageway to create two lanes in each direction from the roundabout on Budaiya Highway up to the junction with Avenue 35. We are also working on some of the side roads linked to the main road.
“While developing and rehabilitating this project, the safety aspects for pedestrians are also being addressed with foot paths, lighting, fencing and crossing facilities.”
The project works include diversion and relocation of underground services, new street lights, ducts, road markings and signage. The work will also tackle rain-flooding issues in the area.
“In the process of rehabilitating the roads, we are also addressing the storm and water drainage situation which is important especially during the rainy season,” he added.
Experts believe the number of cars using Saar Avenue will grow from 30,000 vehicles per day to around 58,000.
The projects contractor, Jalal Al A’Ali & Sons Co (JASCO) construction, hope to complete the project by November. Once the 65-week scheme has been completed, the ministry will then set out to improve other roads in the area, such as those around Budaiya.
“Hopefully, before the end of the first half of 2019, we will be tendering the widening of Budaiya Highway and increasing the capacity from two lanes in each direction to three lanes in each direction,” added Essam.
Roundabouts on the busy stretch of road, which often get jammed with traffic during rush hour, will be converted into junctions with traffic signals.
The ministry is aware the current road works will cause misery and has apologised for any inconvenience that it may be causing. It urges residents and visitors to continue to adhere to special road safety precautions set in place and drive with courtesy for other motorists and pedestrians.
Essam said: “We are basically looking into the objectives of the drivers, pedestrians and residents in the area.”
Stalwart Saar residents, such as Paul Sabberton, are taking it in their stride despite enduring heavier congestion at peak times. Paul, a general manager for a construction company in Saudi Arabia, said: “The road works are obviously causing an increase in commute time, with it sometimes taking as long as five minutes to pull out of our road opposite Saar mosque onto Saar Avenue.
“However, whilst it may be a small inconvenience now, I’d much rather have a few months of congestion followed by many years of smooth-flowing traffic because it has been a problematic area for a while now. Especially for parents making school runs or those travelling to and from the causeway.”
