The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced the reopening of Al Gharrafa Bridge (known as Immigration Bridge) to traffic in both directions. 
The bridge was reopened on Friday after completing the necessary maintenance works, Ashghal said in a statement Saturday. 
The bridge was closed on June 9 this year to carry out some emergency maintenance works, said Mohamed Arqoub al-Khaldi, head of the Doha City Section, Road Projects Department, Ashghal.


Mohamed Arqoub al-Khaldi


Five rigs were used to carry out the necessary maintenance works on the bridge


The bridge was reopened on Friday after completing the necessary maintenance works.


The time factor, in addition to the space available for equipment work, was a challenge as the maintenance was scheduled to be completed within a month, he observed. This is due to the importance of the bridge, which is located in a vital area that witnesses heavy traffic daily and connects the north and south of Doha, besides facilitating access to many malls and commercial markets.
Five rigs were used to carry out the necessary maintenance works on the bridge. These included the installation of concrete reinforced beams at a depth of 14m below the ground level to support the bridge deck, in addition to pouring more than 2,500 cubic metres of concrete and the use of 200 tonnes of iron. Also, 700m of asphalt was paved, the statement noted.
Ashghal stressed that it worked round the clock to ensure that traffic flow on the bridge was restored as soon as possible. Taking into consideration the highest safety standards, the designs were in place on time and more than 150 workers and engineers were involved in carrying out the emergency maintenance works, the statement added. 
The authority said it would continue with the maintenance work below the bridge.
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