DESPITE the global economic challenges, Bahrain’s Ministry of Works (MoW) has made commendable progress on boosting the country’s infrastructure network over the past year, which saw the completion and handover of the strategically important BD130.8-million ($344.8 million) Khalifa bin Salman Port, the Sheikh Khalifa Sports City and a number of road construction and reclamation projects.

More than 90 per cent of the country’s homes and commercial facilities have also been linked to the sanitary network and the traffic capacity of the roads has been boosted by 30 per cent by the end of last year. Among other developments, the MoW has taken a pioneering role in compiling new standards for construction contracts and technical specification documents.
Acting as the construction arm of the government, the ministry has been exerting continuous efforts to provide high quality road networks, sewerage services and public buildings in tandem with the economic growth of the country.
“Last year was a real challenge for the ministry,” says a spokesman for the ministry. “Our projects were affected by the rise in prices of building materials, budget constraints and low financing due to the global financial crisis.
“By the middle of last year, the prices of building materials started to gradually drop, enabling the ministry to achieve remarkable progress in its existing projects. This overall progress was realised due to the precautionary measures taken by the ministry while implementing its major projects, in order to avoid any drastic delays.

An artist's impression of the interiors of the complex.

“These achievements are attributable to the directives of Bahrain’s leadership to allocate additional funds for infrastructure projects, reflecting the government’s commitment to meet the requirements to achieve Vision 2030; and to the highest international standards applied in MoW projects.”
The MoW is now gearing up to launch important developments such as the Bahrain Polytechnic, a BD100-million ($265 million) project, which will be developed on the site of University of Bahrain campus, Isa Town, over 10 years in a number of phases; and the vitally important transport plan.

Strategic projects
Among the most important projects completed last year was the Khalifa bin Salman Port, which was handed over to the General Organisation of Seaports early in the year. The project involved three contracts including land reclamation, maritime work, infrastructure development, and construction of buildings.
Another recently completed project is the BD9.2-million ($24.3 million) Sheikh Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town, which was handed over to the General Organisation of Youth and Sports. Constructed at the site of Isa Town Sports Stadium over a total area of 80,000 sq m, it includes a main grandstand and a multipurpose sports hall, each with a capacity for 3,600 spectators, and a swimming hall with a capacity of 500 spectators and including two pools in addition to the associated external works and parking areas.
The ministry has also completed the Bahrain Monument in Sakhir on schedule.

Bahrain Polytechnic ... new project on the horizon.

Turning to ongoing projects, the spokesman says: “The first phase of Bahrain Polytechnic, which is being considered as one of the most important projects to be supervised by the ministry, is moving ahead. Progress has been made in defining the overall layout and design of this significant project by internationally-renowned consultants specialised in designing educational institutions.”
Significant progress has also been made on other strategic projects, including the King Hamad General Hospital in Muharraq (which is 95 per cent); remote aircraft aprons project at Bahrain International Airport (87 per cent); dredging works for the Bahrain Approach Channel (73.5 per cent); and reclamation works for the Muharraq Sewage Treatment Plant at Muharraq (82 per cent).
Turning to the proposed metro and monorail project for Bahrain, the spokesman tells Gulf Construction that the MoW, in cooperation with the consulting firm Sidra, has conducted a study, which recommends integrating six lines of transport linking all governorates of the kingdom.
“The study also recommends diversification of transportation on the proposed six lines. This will include monorails, fast buses run on dedicated lanes separated from the vehicular traffic, and light trams connecting Manama with Seef District and Budaiya Road. In addition, the proposed network will be designed to link with the Bahrain-Qatar Causeway, facilitating access to the GCC railway network in later stages,” he says.
“The main objective of the proposed new transport network is to ease traffic congestions by, at least, 25 per cent,” he says.
The consultant has identified several locations in the densely-populated areas and busy business districts for the light rail stations. For example, light rails, carrying up to 6,000 passengers in each trip, will run from Bahrain International Airport, via King Hamad Causeway and Diplomatic Area, to Seef District. However, trams, carrying up to 3,000 passengers in each trip, will connect Juffair, Al Fateh Highway and Manama, also ending in Seef District.
“The project will be undertaken over three phases, with the first phase to commence by the year-end for completion in 2014. The second phase is scheduled to start in 2016 and be completed in 2023 with completion of the third phase targeted for 2030,” he says.
The ministry is also playing a major role in the development of the Bahrain-Qatar causeway project, which includes the supervision of the construction of the rail and road bridges.
“Work is currently in progress on this significant project. The design concept has been completed and technical proposals are being reviewed by the Bahrain-Qatar Causeway Authority in preparation for on-site execution in the first quarter of this year,” says the spokesman.
The causeway will consist of two adjacent bridges: the first one will carry vehicular traffic, while the second will carry two lines of railway transporting passengers and freight. This will be part of the wider train network linking the GCC countries in later stages, he adds.

Roads sector
Despite the difficult economic conditions last year, the originally allocated budget amounting to BD55 million ($145.9 million) was increased to meet the demands of this vital sector. By the end of last year, a total of BD72 million was spent to complete road projects in line with MoW’s Strategic Roads Masterplan 2021, which aims to ensure an efficient and safe road network, facilitate future developments, and attract new investment opportunities.
Among the most prestigious projects of the Roads Directorate is the Sitra Bridge, which aims to replace the existing bridge that is congested and in the need of repair. Some 64 per cent of this BD100-million ($265 million) development has been completed since its launch in 2007. The project, which is expected to be commissioned by the year-end, includes construction of two new causeways to the west of the existing bridge. The two new bridges – the northern bridge being 200 m long and the southern one 400 m long – will include three lanes with provisions to extend it to four in the future to meet the needs of the growing traffic.

The Sheikh Khalifa Sports City ... state of the art.

Another major project is Isa Town Gate Interchange, where some 35 per cent of the work has been completed.
This BD41-million ($108.65 million) project comprises a three-level, grade-separated interchange including the construction of an underpass, which will carry traffic along Sheikh Salman Highway. In addition to a flyover connecting Sheikh Salman Highway with the Al Estiqlal Highway, the project includes a grade bridge with traffic signals to control the traffic flow at Isa Town Gate.
This apart, a number of road projects were completed last year, including the Bahrain Map and the Bahrain City Centre flyovers. The Bahrain Map Flyover consists of a dual east-west-east flyover as well as a traffic signals-controlled interchange underneath the flyover. Built at the cost of BD11.5 million ($30.4 million), the flyovers were opened last October, easing the traffic congestion and improving the traffic flow on Sheikh Isa bin Salman Highway. The at-grade junction below the flyover was completed last month.
The City Centre flyover was opened in March last year for traffic coming from Highway 38 towards Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway. The BD5.9-million ($15.6 million) flyover has improved the traffic flow in Seef and will pave the way for future projects in the area, the spokesman says.
Other road projects implemented over the past year include:
Zallaq bridge, Bahrain University entrance and Hamad Town underpasses: The Zallaq bridge and the two Hamad Town underpasses along Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway were opened in the first quarter of last year. The two underpasses serve traffic on Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway, while the two traffic signal-controlled flyovers serve traffic to and from Hamad Town, reducing the travel time to Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and the University of Bahrain. Built at a cost BD6.8 million ($18.02 million) and BD15.231 million ($40.35 million) respectively, the projects are part of Bahrain’s main ring road.
Replacement of roundabouts: Last year a number of roundabouts across the kingdom were replaced with signallised intersections, including those near Bahrain Gas, A’ali, the General Directorate of Traffic and Hekma Roundabout on Estiqlal Highway. “These improvements have enhanced traffic capacity by well over 30 per cent, while significantly increasing road safety in the busy school district of Isa Town where the National Stadium also is situated,” the spokesman comments.
Reef Island bridge and road: This BD5.8-million ($15.37 million) project, completed last month, provides direct access to the Reef Island developments, via Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway.

Sanitary sector
In line with the kingdom’s strategic National Plan, the sanitary sector last year initiated and completed several projects to ensure that the sanitary networks and systems in the country can cope with its needs. The ministry issued a total of 41 tenders worth BD106 million ($277 million) and awarded 43 contracts valued at a total of worth BD95 million ($251 million). Eight contracts costing BD9.5 million ($25.1 million) were completed while others worth BD61 million ($161.6 million) are in progress.
About 91 per cent of the country’s population is now linked to the sanitary network, the spokesman points out.
Commenting on the sector’s key achievements, the spokesman says: “About 91 per cent of the National Sanitary Engineering Plan’s operations have been achieved with overall completion targeted during the first half of this year. The plan focuses on developing an overall National Masterplan for the country’s sanitary engineering services, covering the sewerage and surface water drainage systems, as well as wastewater treatment and re-use of treated sewage effluent (TSE) and sludge.
“The sanitary services privatisation project has been progressing as well. The Privatisation Strategy and Implementation Plan (PSIP) for sanitary engineering is currently being developed and will be finalised in the first quarter. This plan sets out the privatisation roadmap for sanitary engineering which will include privatisation of the sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Muharraq – the pilot privatisation project, Tubli and other areas as well as the sewerage networks across the country.

The Bahrain City Centre flyover ... easing traffic flow.

“The Muharraq STP is currently in the tender stage and bids are scheduled to be submitted this month (January). Land reclamation work for the plant is expected to be completed by April, which is ahead of the planned award of the privatisation contract in June.
“The Tubli STP is the next to be privatised. Front-end activity has started on the project, with a consultant expected to be appointed imminently.
“Among other achievements, the sanitary sector has provided professional technical consultations for 16,000 requests for a number of major projects carried out by the public and private sectors.”
This apart, in line with the ministry’s vision to provide high quality services, the ministry has launched an online service for building permits and sewerage connections through its website www.works.gov.bh, which has reduced the number of applicants visiting the MoW by 11 per cent, he adds.

Other achievements
Last year witnessed the launch of the MoW’s new standard conditions of contract designed for all construction projects developed by the public and the private sectors in Bahrain. The document is made up of four sections: engineering and construction works; pre- and post-implementation consultancy works; consultancy works for quantity surveyors prior to and after implementation; and maintenance and minor works, human resources and preparation contracts.
Another strategic achievement this year was the launch of MoW’s Standard Specifications for Construction Works document, which provides an essential reference for developers in the public and the private sector to ensure that projects are developed to the highest standards. The document is made up of 21 sections classified according to various areas of specialties including concrete and architectural finishes, ceilings and floors, and roads and drainage works and coordinates spaces and parks.
The MoW has also made history by being among only four recipients from Europe, the Middle East and Africa to be awarded the prestigious Excellence Award for executing its business strategy by the Palladium Group. The US-based group is the global leader in helping organisations to execute their strategies by making better decisions.
In addition, the ministry’s Enterprise Documentation Management System (EDMS) was declared Best e-Government Project at the Bahrain International Forum for e-Government. The project focuses on up-to-date technologies and cost- and time-saving methods that enhance performance. The advantages of the EDMS system include standardising and automating document flows, reducing paper-based operations, enabling document tracking and work in progress as well as for developing consolidated project documentation repositories.
The ministry also received the Asian Council for Human Resources Development award in recognition of its leading human resources initiatives.