The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ has opened the link road between Hamad Port and the Temporary Truck Route (TTR) also known as Route 55 to ease the flow of heavy goods vehicles from the new Hamad Port to Route 55 ahead of full port operations commencing (
as shown in the attached map)
The newly opened road, known as Mesaieed Road 1 is approximately 4 km in length and consists of 2 lanes in each direction, one of which will be dedicated for the use of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) similar to the existing Route 55. The new road is considered a vital addition to the road network of Qatar as it will form a free flowing traffic route without the need to travel through Doha city, helping to alleviate congestion, and better manage heavy vehicle movement.
Mesaieed Road 1 will also relieve traffic congestion within Doha and offer the people of Qatar an alternate route with faster journey times when travelling between Al Khor in the north, and Mesaieed in the south. It will be a safe, swift, efficient, and high quality highway that will provide better connectivity for Mesaieed Industrial City, and Ras Laffan Industrial City.
Additionally, Mesaieed Road 1, falls within the scope of works of the New Orbital Highway and Truck Route "Orbital" and with the ongoing progress in the construction of Hamad Port and its impending transition to operational status, Ashghal opened this new link road, Mesaieed 1, to connect Hamad Port to Route 55.
Mesaieed Road 1 starts from the southern entrance to Hamad Port through a temporary roundabout and crosses Mesaieed Road through the newly constructed Mesaieed Road 1. Westbound traffic from Hamad Port will be able to reach Salwa Road via Route 55, significantly reducing journey times.
Southbound traffic from Salwa Road heading towards Mesaieed will now be able to turn east at a new junction on the existing Route 55 onto the newly constructed section of Mesaieed Road 1.
The temporary roundabout and Mesaieed Road 1 are located approximately 1 km from Woqod petrol station on Mesaieed Road, and 1.8 km from the first Mesaieed Industrial City (MIC) roundabout. The road opened to traffic in July, and will serve as an operational connection with Hamad Port, facilitating the domestic and international transportation from the port.
The New Orbital forms a fundamental part of Ashghal's Expressway Programme to construct an international standard highway network that will significantly transform road travel within Qatar.
The New Orbital Highway and Truck Route Project is divided into four sub-contracts carried out simultaneously and encompassing the design and construction of approximately 190km of dual carriageway; typically four to five lanes in each direction with the provision for two future lanes. Additionally, two separated truck lanes will be provided along either side of the mainline between Mesaieed and Al Khor.