As part of the North Road Corridor Enhancement project, the Public Works Authority, ‘Ashghal’, opened Al Kheesa Interchange to traffic after completing the junction upgrade.

Senior officials were present in the inauguration of the overhauled interchange, including Ashghal’s Expressway Department Manager Eng. Yousef Al Emadi, Expressway Department Manager Badr Darweesh, Traffic Engineering and Safety Brigadier Mohammed Maarifiya, Umm Slal Municipality representative Mr.  Hassan Al Nuaimi, and Central Municipality Council member Mr. Meshaal Al Nuaimi along with representatives from Ministry of Transport and Communications and a number of   Ashghal’s project engineers.

The reconstruction of Al Kheesa Interchange implemented by Ashghal will bring higher capacity and more streamlined traffic for the adjacent residential areas, particularly, Al Kheesa and Umm Slal, which are connected with nearby expressways and businesses, as well as provide alternative accesses and exits for Al Shamal Road.

The upgrade of Al Kheesa Interchange incorporated two new flyovers: one considered as the longest overpass on Al Shamal Road with a length of approximately 700 metre and three lanes, heading from Al Kheesa to Doha   and another 170 metre long with two lanes, heading from Doha to Al Kheesa. The new bridges tripled the capacity up to 12000 vehicles per hour in place of 4000 vehicles per hour. Also, Ashghal converted the main bridge roundabout into a light signal enhancing safety and streamlining traffic as well.

Benefits
The revamp will improve traffic and reduce travel time for road users in the surrounding locations, allowing for traffic decongestion on Umm Slal Mohammed Interchange and Al Kharaitiyat Interchange.

Residents in Al Kheesa, Umm Slal Mohammed along with Al Kharaitiyat will find it easier for the alleviated traffic around since Al Kheesa Interchange will allow for better traffic flow from and into Al shamal Road.

Also, the interchange is going to work as an access point for the service roads on Al Shamal road for travellers from Doha and northern areas.

The interchange is a key connection for Al Shamal Road users and the west side areas towards Al Kheesa since there is a direct link with the vital Arab League Street, flowing movement to Community College in Qatar, Qatar University and Al Khor Coastal Road.

The overhauled junction improves movement from North Road and the east side areas towards Umm Slal, providing a connection with Barzaan Market, Umm Slal Centre for Health and Wellness and new Umm Slal Wholesale Market along with other educational and business facilities around.

Eng. Yousef Al-Emadi, Expressway Department Manager at the Public Works Authority said that Al Kheesa Interchange is the last interchange to be opened as part of the North Road Enhancement Project, stressing the importance of the interchange, which links the Eastern and Western areas on both sides of the North Road, as well as the commercial, educational, and health facilities in the area.

Eng. Yousef thanked all entities who cooperated in this project, including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and Umm Salal Municipality, as well as the project leaders who contributed to the completion of the interchange on time, hoping to double the efforts in order to develop Qatar in the best possible way.

On the impact of the current siege on Ashghal’s projects, Al-Emadi added that the crisis has been contained and substitutes to primary materials are obtained from other countries such as Oman, India, France, and others. He pointed out that all the materials are available in parts of the world and are not limited to the countries of the blockade.

He also pointed out that Ashghal met with the contractors, suppliers, and all concerned entities and the situation was dealt with quickly, and confirmed that Ashghal’s projects are not affected by the blockade.

Mr. Meshal Abdullah Al-Naimi, member of the Municipal Council for the 18th constituency, expressed his appreciation to the Public Works Authority for the fast completion of the Al-Kheesa Interchange, which followed the opening of Umm Slal Mohammed and Al-Kharaitiyat Interchanges, noting that these interchanges link the Western areas with the Wastern areas, hence facilitating the traffic flow and reducing traffic density.

Al-Naimi said that all the residents of the surrounding areas have witnessed the fast implementation of project works; being a priority to Ashghal. He pointed out that the development of bridges into large interchanges is a good idea especially with the increasing activities and commercial facilities in the North Road area.

Mansour Hasan Al Naimi, representative and manager of the services department in Umm Slal Municipality, confirmed that Al Kheesa Interchange connects Al Dhaayen and Umm Slal areas in both eastern and western regions and represents a vital artery for the residents of both regions.

He pointed out that Al Kheesa Interchange will ease the traffic flow on both Umm Slal Muhammad and Al Khraitiyat Interchanges, adding that the three interchanges have become three main arteries linking the eastern and western surrounding areas.

Al Shamal Road Milestones
The Al Kheesa interchange is part of the North Road Corridor Enhancement project impelemented by the public Works Authority as it is finalizing the 200 km service roads and cycling and foot paths.

Ashghal already opened Umm Slal Mohammed Interchange in April 2017 and the vital Al Kharaitiyat Interchange last March to serve areas of Al Kharaitiayt, Leabib, Al Ebb besides nearby highways and businesses as it creates several alternative routes for travelers from and to the North Road.

Also, Ashghal opened late 2016 Izghawa Interchange to bring in alternative routes from Lusail to Izaghawa and Al Shamal Road and businesses around and sharing more traffic with Duhail Interchange.

The bridge linking Al Huwaila Road and North Road, enhancing traffic to and from Raas Laffan

The road linking Al Khor and North Road was also completed, a 5 km dual carriageway with three lanes in each direction instead of two lanes in each direction.

Ashghal delivered Umm Birkah Road, as well as Al Sakhama and Umm Al Amad Braiding Bridges to bring in easier access to areas of Al Sakhama, Sanae Lehmaidi, Umm Al Amad and Umm Slal

Noteworthy, the North Road Corridor Enhancement project incorporates new services roads 200 km along from Duhail to Al Shamal Town, constructing Izghawa and Umm Slal Mohammed Interchanges, upgrading Lehweilah, Al Kheesa and Al Kharaitiyat Interchanges. Also, the improvements include revamping Al Khor Link Road, Umm Birkah Road and creating new cycling and foot paths.