* Ashghal's roads and citizens’ subdivision projects on track, uninterrupted by pandemic

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) continues to keep pace with its roads and citizens’ subdivision projects despite the Covid-19 crisis, it was announced on Monday.

“The roads and citizens’ sub-division projects are on track. Ashghal’s ability to maintain such progress to plan reflects its agility and resilience during the current exceptional conditions,” it was explained in a statement.

Engineer Saoud al-Tamimi, manager of the Roads Projects Department (RPD), said Ashghal took a series of measures to curb Covid-19 spread both in the construction project sites and offices as well as in the accommodation facilities.

“We implemented emergency plans with our contractors and consultants. We have successfully managed to maintain delivery and business continuity while strictly adhering to the regularly updated health, safety, workers' welfare and wellness-related guidelines and legal requirements. This goal could not have been achieved without the concerted efforts and continuous co-ordination of all workers,” he said.

Al-Tamimi, who recalled that some major accomplishments were achieved during the pandemic, said completion of roads leading to workers’ accommodation in west of Umm Slal Area and infrastructure works and upgrading works on Street 1400 and Street 300 in Abal Heeran area and their opening to traffic was announced in April.

“These are in addition to delivering a road network providing access to Al Sailiya Central Market. Besides, Ashghal also announced the completion of construction works of the main tunnel for the foul sewer network serving eight northern areas and Al Rayyan Stadium and connecting it to the main Pump Station,” the official explained.

April also witnessed the completion of cars and buses parking that serve Doha Metro stations including Al Gassar, Education City and Al Wakra. In May, nine new contracts for Citizens’ Subdivision Infrastructure Projects were signed at a value of QR3.6bn. Al Nasr Street and Al Mirqab Al Jadeed Street were opened for public use while Ashghal announced the commencement of West Simaisma's Road and Infrastructure Development Project -- Package 1. In June, Al Jazira Al Arabiya Street and Al Tarfa Intersection were both opened to traffic along with the completion of works on Al Rayyan stadium car parking area.

In July, Ashghal announced the completion of main upgrading works on the intersection known as Al Tarfa Intersection and its infrastructure service utilities, in addition to the construction of new service roads. Upgrading works on Muaither Sports Club and Plastic Roundabouts on Al Sailiya Road have started along with works on Roads and Infrastructure Project in Al Kharaitiyat and Izghawa - Package 2 along with Roads and Infrastructure Project in Al Egda Al Heedan and Al Khor- Package 1. Progress on the first phase of Roads and Infrastructure in West Muaither- Package 3 has reached 60%.

August was marked by the completion of the main upgrading works on Umm Al Dome, Al Muaither, and Al Ennabi streets along with three signalised intersections and their opening to traffic. These are in addition to the completion of the connecting and surrounding roads to Al Wakrah Central Market. “Further, we announced the commencement of works on package 7 of the Roads and Infrastructure Development Project in South of Al Meshaf and the development works on Al Sadd Intersection, as well as the start of Roads and Infrastructure Project in Al Ebb and Leabaib – Package 4,” al-Tamimi said.

Currently, Ashghal is ramping up construction works of the roads surrounding the central market in Umm Slal Area where the progress has reached 85%. The construction works of the roads surrounding the new building of the Immigration Office of the Ministry of Interior in Wadi Al Banat Area is 75% complete. During the past few months, several roads were opened to serve petrol stations in various areas of the country.

“Even though Covid-19 cases are reducing, we are still continuing with all the actions that were implemented during the peak stage in May and June this year. The Health and Safety team of RPD had to review and update the health and safety policies and protocols in order to ensure compliance with the government precautionary measures and to protect our employees and the total supply chain workforce,” he said, adding that the focus now is on the lessons learned from such an impactful experience and the importance of keeping our crisis management and contingency plans always updated and ready for activation. “We are considering the new ways of work that Covid-19 pandemic has imposed on us which have proved to be efficient to adopt for the long run,” he said.

Ashghal has developed a supply chain and ‘outbreak contingency response and management plans’. The Crisis Management Team at RPD monitors every Covid-19 development and provides timely advice and instructions.

Ashghal keeps its projects progressing and the Key Performance Indicators system that was revamped in 2018 tracks performance on almost every non-delivery aspect. Al-Tamimi thanked everyone at Ashghal and the entire supply chain for contributing their part.



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