The previous Manama-Sitra Causeway provided the main link between the capital of Manama on Bahrain Island and the Nabih Saleh and Sitra Island, serving more than 6,000 vehicles per hour during peak time.
The two marine bridges, however, did not have the sufficient load carrying capacity and a replacement was therefore required.
The project comprised:
- realignment of the causeway
- widening of the embankments to accommodate dual four lanes
- two new marine bridges on the causeway, 200 and 400 m long
- three level grade separated interchange at the Umm Al Hassam Junction at the northern end
- grade separated interchange at Nabih Saleh at the middle
- a grade-separated interchange on Sitra Island at the southern end
Traffic flow to be maintainedConstructability aspects and traffic management were critical issues as traffic needed to be maintained throughout the construction period, and services and utilities could not be interrupted.
Environmental Impact Assessment
The impacts on the environment were assessed through extensive numerical modelling with special emphasis on the Tubli Bay to the east of the causeway. Mitigating measures to improve the flushing of the bay were furthermore investigated.
Long service life The customer's requirements stated that the new structure should be designed for a design life of 120 years, a requirement that necessitated a multi-stage durability strategy.
The Sitra Causeway was re-opened by the end of 2010, very likely to great relief for the thousands of pendlers who use it every day.
