The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) plans to develop 38km of the current Zubarah road to four lanes in each direction as part of the Expressway Programme, local Arabic daily Arrayah reports.
The Zubarah road, leading to Al Zubarah Archaeological Site, which is on the Unesco World Heritage List, has now only a single-lane road, which has not seen maintenance in several years.
The proposed road will have 27km of service lanes, including pedestrian and cycling tracks, Ashghal told Arrayah in response to articles published by the daily earlier.
The project, still in the design phase, will provide special passageways for camels, weigh bridges, smart transportation systems, sewage and drainage network and another network for treated sewage water besides rest places and cafeterias.
The Expressway Programme is meant to provide vital roads in all areas of the country linking Doha with the main outskirts. This was based on a comprehensive study on the current network of roads in the country and planning of fundamental improvements.
The response from Ashghal has come after Arrayah highlighted road users’ complaints about the deteriorated condition of the narrow road and the lack of street lighting, which have been causing many fatal accidents.