The first phase of a major road upgrade near Bahrain International Airport (BIA) will be finalised within the next few weeks. All roads leading to the airport are being revamped in four phases as part of the $1.1 billion Airport Modernisation Programme (AMP). In the first phase, Road 2403 running parallel to the airport is being converted into a one-way road from the airport roundabout to Arad Highway. The second phase will see the airport's roundabout replaced with traffic lights, rerouting and expansion of Khalifa Al Kabeer Avenue and Arad Highway Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf paid an inspection visit to assess the progress of the first two phases yesterday. "The project of building entrances to the airport coincides with the airport expansion," Khalaf said in a statement. "The first phase, which is 96 per cent complete, is expected to be finished by the middle of next month. "Work on the second phase, which is 71pc complete, was divided into several segments to ensure the continuity of traffic movement in the area." The project is expected to be inaugurated in the last quarter of the year, to coincide with the inauguration of the new airport. The minister also called for the planting of more trees on the sides of roads leading to the airport. The GDN previously reported that the first phase of the revamp project cost BD2.4 million, while the second phase will cost BD3.1m and are being financed under the $10 billion Gulf Development Fund. However, details of the third and fourth phases and their funding have not yet been worked out. Flyovers are expected to be built in the Falcon Monument Junction area and another on Avenue 46 in the third phase, while the fourth phase might involved linking the Muharraq Ring Road and the Airport Highway by developing Avenue 20 going through the airport's area and Busaiteen. BIA currently handles around nine million passengers a year, but once the new terminal is fully operational it is expected to handle up to 14 million travellers annually. The new 207,000sqm terminal building will include a 4,600sqm departure hall, 104 check-in counters, 36 passport control booths and 24 security screening points. It is four times the size of the existing terminal with a multi-storey car park having a total capacity of 2,700 parking spaces for passengers and visitors and a state-of-the-art retail area. The new airport terminal is expected to open in October. Source: Gulf Daily News
