Sitra Causeway was opened to traffic in 1976 to bridge the Capital, Manama and Sitra passing through Nabih Saleh Island. It carries a 3.2 km long, dual two-lane highway.

Within three decades, the bridge has deteriorated disallowing large  vehicles to travel on it.  The existing Sitra Causeway is of significant strategic importance in the overall Bahrain highway network.  Since its opening, there has been a huge increase in traffic and both the Causeway and Umm Al-Hassam Junction are now overloaded resulting in serious traffic jams and congestion.  Furthermore, the causeway includes two marine bridges which have reached their useful service life.  The concrete of the bridges has deteriorated due to the harsh marine environment (high salinity, high humidity and high temperatures) and further repairs and refurbishments are no longer technically and economically feasible.

As a result of above, the Ministry of Works has decided to replace the existing bridges with new bridges and increase the traffic capacity by constructing a dual three-lane highway, a 3-level grade-separated intersection at Umm Al-Hassam (The first of its kind in Bahrain), and at-grade signalized intersections at the entrance to Nabih Saleh Island and at North Sitra.  Relocation and/or replacement of existing services on the Causeway are also included in the Project.

The new structures have been designed for a design life of 120 years structural maintenance free period of 40 years.

During the construction works, traffic will be maintained on the existing Causeway. Following the completion of the new Causeway, traffic will be transferred to it. Also, utility services that are currently carried by the existing Causeway will be transferred to the new one. Then, the existing bridges will be demolished. Parts of the existing Causeway embankment will be retained and be used as recreational areas.