Work on many road projects is progressing in Qatar. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam
By Ramesh Mathew
Staff Reporter
A number of new roads, which are part of the ambitious Expressway programme of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), are expected to be completed in the next three years, according to the authority’s 2013-14 annual report.
The new roads would improve traffic in Doha city and surrounding areas. Prominent projects undertaken by the road planners are the West and East Corridors which would provide connectivity for the western areas with the Hamad International Airport (HIA).
The two highways, which would cost the exchequer about QR4bn, are expected to be completed in the middle of 2017.
Ashghal will handle 14 new road projects, costing about QR20.31bn, next year as part of the Expressway programme, Gulf Times reported recently.
A total of 12 projects worth QR18.21bn have been taken up so far, with four major roads completed this year. Eleven Expressway projects are under construction across Qatar.
While the authority awarded works to the tune of QR12.9bn in 2012-13, the figure tripled to QR38.4bn this financial year, Ashghal president and senior engineer Nasser Ali al-Mawlawi said in a message in the annual report.
The Western corridor has four two-level interchanges on the New Industrial Area Road, West Industrial Area, East Industrial Street and Al Aziziya Extension, while the East Corridor has a four-level interchange on Al Wakra bypass, and two-level interchanges at Barwa Access, Najma Street Extension and Al Matar Street, the report said.
The works on both the corridors are progressing. The corridors, it is pointed out, would also provide strategic links to the southern side of Doha. They also provide connection with the Orbital Highway and truck routes to the HIA.
The new interchanges being built will provide access to residential areas on Al Matar Street, Najma Street Extension and Barwa Access Road. There will also be a new Al Wakra bypass.
Nearly 600 trees have been uprooted from the construction areas and replanted on sites nearby as part of Qatar’s commitment to protect the environment. The new areas would have about 500sq km of landscaping.
The 15-km-long Dukhan Central Highway, starting on the western side of Wajba Interchange and ending on the eastern side of Al Shahaniya town, is among the major ongoing works. The four-lane road on each side is expected to be completed by the last quarter of 2016.
The ongoing QR2.33bn Al Muntazah Street extension, comprising eight-km dual carriageway between Eastern Industrial Road interchange and Woqod Interchange will be ready in the last quarter of 2016, according to the report. Besides the six graded interchanges, some of which are under construction, the project would also feature a tunnel to Barwa City.
The QR837mn F-Ring Road Project between Al Muntazah Street and Al Matar Street, intended to provide access to the HIA and a direct link to the city's southern areas, is another major ongoing work. The highlight is the construction of a 7.2km road of international standards, with either three or four lanes on each side.
As part of the project, dedicated cycle and pedestrian paths are also planned.
When completed the project is expected to streamline mobility and reduce congestion with greater access to the HIA.
