Construction underway on expressway projects worth QR39bn

Projects worth more than QR38.98bn are currently underway across Qatar as part of Ashghal's plan to develop the country's Expressways, Gulf Times reported.

A report in Ashghal's annual report (2015) said until December, 2015, construction projects worth QR49.8bn had been awarded by Ashghal as part of its ambitious Expressway Project.

As per the report, currently 11 Expressway Projects are in different stages of construction and 10 more are in the design phase.

Ashghal also recently announced completion of the Grading and Roads Construction Project in Wadi Aba Seleel, which will be open to traffic on Thursday, 8 September 2016.

Wadi Aba Seleel upgrades completed

The project aimed to convert the area into a sustainable part of Doha City by connecting it to the neighbouring areas and the main roads network, in addition to increasing the number of new land areas which are equipped with the necessary infrastructure for commercial and logistic services.

It is worth mentioning that the project area was suffering from a surface and ground water overflow problem, which has been solved by providing an advanced drainage network; thus preventing water flooding.

The most important Expressway Projects are those related to the 200km-long New Orbital Highway and Truck Route starting from New Hamad Port on the country's southern side to Ras Laffan Industrial City.

The road bypasses the city and is mostly through the desert areas.

The Contract 1 of the project between Hamad Port to Orbital Highway alone is tendered for QR3.2bn.

A 41km road is being built as part of the project and it connects Hamad Port and Al Wakra bypass with other works being constructed as part of the project.

It also includes the construction of a road linking Mesaieed Road to the East West Corridor.

The work began in the first quarter of 2014.

Connecting up with Salwa Road

Contract 2 of the project, which started in the second quarter of 2014 is between Salwa Road and North Relief Road.

This is approximately 54km and includes eight two-level inter-changes. It is worth QR4.27bn.

The third and fourth contracts worth QR6.09bn and QR 3.48bn respectively were also started in the second quarter of 2014.

While the third contract is for the works between Mesaieed and Salwa, the fourth is between Dukhan Highway and Al Khor Link Road.

In the third contract there are three major junctions while the fourth has five.

The road, when completed, is expected to provide an alternative route with faster journey times without touching residential areas while travelling between Al Khor and New Hamad Port.

It is expected to manage up to no less than 1,500 heavy goods vehicles per hour in each direction.

It can also cater for general traffic volumes at approximately 8,000 vehicles per hour in each direction.