Out of 300 projects from across the Middle East and North African region, the work on the design and delivery of the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway (SKBSH) and Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Highway (SIBSH) upgrade was recognised by MEED as “a true benchmark for quality and excellence,” winning the MEED National Award 2021.

The SKBSH is a crucial roadway in the Kingdom, linking Manama, Hamad Town and the southern governorate. Widening and improving the SKBSH and SIBSH were essential to boost capacity, ease congestion, improve accessibility, and meet traffic demands through to 2030.

BG&E was engaged for the detailed design and construction of the new left turn flyover at the SAAR Interchange.

The flyover bridge, built using the incremental launching method, represents Bahrain’s first application of this technique – a significant engineering feat for the project.

The bridge used pre-stressed concrete and advanced mechanisation and was launched from one abutment on a tight combined horizontal and vertical curve. Spanning approximately 515 metres in length and 13.45 metres in width, it accommodates two 3.75 metre lanes, with an outer shoulder of three metres and an inner shoulder of 1.96 metres.

BG&E’s use of the incrementally launched construction method provided optimal advantages compared to conventional construction.

Scope included

• Detailed design and delivery occurred without traffic closures, minimising disturbance to the community and surroundings.
• A more concentrated work area for superstructure assembly.
• Increased worker safety given the improved erection environment.
• Social and environmental benefits, including preserving cultural heritage through enhanced community connectivity, and protecting the natural environment via integrated planning regulations and reduced pollution, leading to improved safety.

Following the project’s completion, vehicle capacity surged from 900 to 3,600 vehicles per hour, significantly alleviating congestion at bottlenecks, while daily traffic volume soared to 173,000 vehicles in both directions.