WORK on a major new causeway in Bahrain to a BD1 billion ($2.66 billion) coastal development is now expected to start at the beginning of 2015, after almost a decade of delays.

It will provide direct access to the Northern Town project from the Seef District, bypassing Budaiya Highway altogether, municipal councillor Hussain Al Sagheer said. However, he said planners must await the results of two studies – one archaeological and the other on the environmental and agricultural impact – before deciding the final route. That means it could be early 2014 before designs for the highway are drawn up.

The two studies are not expected to be completed until the end of next year and are necessary to minimise impact of the new BD69-million ($182.8 million) causeway. Al Sagheer said four possible routes had been assessed, including three inland, but it appeared a decision had now been taken to construct the new highway at sea. “The Works Ministry has now assigned two consultants to prepare studies on the coastal route, which should be complete by December next year due to the nature of the area that would cut through,” he said.