Additionally, pedestrian and cycling paths have been connected from the Al Seej area to the pedestrian path on Al Riffa Street and from Umm Leghab to Al Sheehaniya Interchange, and from there to the roundabout leading to the Camel Racing Track area and Al Wajba Interchange.
Besides, trees have been planted alongside the road and the median, stretching 3km in length, in the Al Wajba area and through Al Wajba Interchange.
This has been done in continuation of the committee’s plan to beautify several roads in the country in order to create a healthier and more sustainable environment, improve the quality of life and enhance the aesthetic appeal of different areas in the country, Ashghal has said in a statement.
On this occasion, Sara Kafood, deputy chairperson of the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar, said: "We take into consideration a number of goals that we aim to achieve through our projects, which are in line with the country’s strategy in achieving environmental sustainability. One of the most important pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030 is contributing to the protection of the environment and its natural balance.
"The urban development that the country is witnessing must be accompanied by an enhancement and improvement of the environmental sustainability efforts. In turn, the beautification of Dukhan Road contributes to increasing the the green spaces share per capita, increasing their percentage in the region, reducing temperature, improving air quality, and providing windbreaks against sand and dust during the summer months. It also encourages exercising in a healthy and safe environment, creating an aesthetic and civilised imprint on the road, which makes the lives of drivers and pedestrians much safer and enjoyable."
Regarding the benefits of the project and the most important main works that are implemented, Noof al-Enazi, Project Planning engineer, said: "The project aims to beautify Dukhan Road and connect the pedestrian and cycling paths from the Al Seej area to the cycling path on Al Riffa Street, from Umm Leghab to Al Sheehaniya Interchange and from there to the roundabout leading to the Camel Racing Track. The project also includes the planting of trees on the sides of the highway and on the median island with a length of 3km in the Al Wajba area, passing by the Al Wajba intersection, in addition to the planting of trees along the sides of the road right after the Umm Al Afaei intersection, reaching Al Sheehaniya Interchange and with a length of 9km. It also involved the planting of trees on the sides of the pedestrian and cycling paths.
"The committee has implemented several main works, that include creating green spaces with an area of 150,000sq m and 5,076 trees that vary between palm, local trees and trees that adapt to the Qatari environment. We have also implemented a 3,400m pedestrian path and a 6,030m cycling path to encourage a healthier lifestyle and the use of alternative transportation means to reduce pollutants emitted from vehicles exhaust, in addition to providing 15 benches, bike racks and garbage containers to ensure the comfort of road users."
The total length of the project is 15,800m, and the beautification works are considered to be a great addition to the project’s site, as Dukhan Road is one of the vital roads that serve those going to/coming from Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, one of the venues of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and other commercial and residential facilities in the region.
The committee works in co-ordination with several ministries and entities in Qatar, such as the Ministry of Municipality, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Culture, Qatar Museums, Qatar Rail, Private Engineering Office and others. It aims to humanise cities with its vision to create a balance between people and the environment and change the car-dominated culture into a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly culture.
The committee’s main responsibility is to provide public services and spaces that promote a healthier lifestyle, aiming to achieve a joint vision with other common stakeholders.
"To achieve our common goal, the committee works hand in hand with them to increase the amount of green areas in cities and residential neighbourhoods, provide safe lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, and develop outdoor leisure destinations such as plazas and public parks and
beaches. This is in addition to developing Central Doha and the Corniche. Further, we work on developing the public realm by adding street furniture, bicycle parking spaces and adding decorative street lighting, as well as displaying artworks and sculptures to enhance outdoor spaces," the statement adds.