Work on a BD10.1 million ($26.7 million) flyover on Shaikh Isa bin Salman Highway, near Tubli Bay, has entered a new phase.

It involves a major traffic diversion so excavations can begin, paving the way for the flyover's foundations to be laid, said assistant under-secretary for roads Essam Khalaf.

"The new interchange will very much resemble the existing Seef interchange at the Seef Mall," he told our sister publication, the Gulf Daily News.

"The scope of work at the Bahrain Map junction interchange includes the construction of an east-west flyover carrying three lanes of free flow traffic in each direction.

"It also includes the construction of an at-grade single point diamond intersection."

The traffic diversion will include:

Eastbound traffic lanes being shifted to the south of their current location, while westbound traffic lanes will be shifted to the north of their current location. A minimum of two lanes of traffic will be maintained in both directions.

Two new U-turns, of two lanes each, being introduced east and west of the junction.

An oval, signalised roundabout similar to that currently existing at the Umm Al Hassam junction.

Excavations will start in the middle of the roundabout once the traffic diversion is complete.

The total cost of the project is BD10.132m and it is due be completed by the second half of next year, said Khalaf.

"We request all drivers to abide by traffic laws and signboards at all times for their own safety and the safety of the public," he added. - TradeArabia News Service