Bahrain’s Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs minister Essam Khalaf revealed in a media briefing on 22 December that there is $49.9m-worth of road projects planned in the country for 2015.

The minister confirmed that 2015 will see all planned projects either implemented or completed next year.

Khalaf said: “The ministry gave priority to the projects that complement new and future housing schemes, which naturally require new alternative roads to accommodate traffic in those areas.”

First among the proposed road projects, costing BD5m ($13.3m), is the Muharraq Ring Road, which includes a fourth causeway connecting the island to Manama. Phase one of the scheme was implemented in April and is now half complete.

The contract for construction was awarded in April to Sayyed Kadhim Sayyed Mohsin al-Dirazi and Eastern Trading & Contracting Establishment.

Another project mentioned by the minister is the Shaikh Zayed Highway, which is planned to become a major route capable of handling more than 50,000 vehicles a day. Khalaf also announced work on a BD7.5m flyover along Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway.

In addition, tenders are going to be launched for increasing the number of lanes on Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway, said Khalaf, as studies had revealed 160,000 vehicles use it every day.

Lastly, the minister gave an update on the Juffair Ring Road project and expansion of Awal Avenue, which are 38 per cent and 25 per cent complete respectively.

“Both projects will serve the Juffair area, considering the fact that it is one of the most important investment and residential areas in Bahrain,” said Khalaf.

Bahrain has been under the spotlight recently as oil price volatility raises concerns over public spending .The rhetoric from authorities has been that public spending will not be affected, but as the price of oil continues to stagnate at much lower rates than usual, many analysts say lack of a fiscal surplus and a diversified economy may mean a rethink of Bahrain’s national budget.