​The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announces that it provided services for 2,112 plot in citizens’ subdivisions, through integrated infrastructure for these plots within the road and infrastructure projects implemented by ‘Ashghal’ in the Northern areas and North of Al Nasiriyah. Northern areas projects include the first, third and fifth packages of Al Ebb and Leabaib project, the third and fourth packages of Al Kharaitiyat and Izghawa project.

On this occasion, Eng. Salim Al Shawi, Assistant Manager of Roads Projects Department, stated that ‘Ashghal’ pays special attention to roads and infrastructure development projects in existing areas and new citizens’ subdivisions, by developing an integrated and advanced internal roads network that provides connectivity with the main roads. In addition to providing infrastructure services, which allows citizens to build their houses in new subdivisions, while providing advanced and efficient services in existing areas.

Eng Salim Al Shawi also explained that the third and fourth packages of Al Kharitiyat and Izghawa project, and the first, third and fifth packages of Al Ebb and Leabaib project, in addition to Al Nasiriyah North project in which the main works have been completed, will serve 6,897 plots upon completion. Infrastructure elements will be provided for these plots, including efficient and safe roads networks with a length of about 230 km, foul sewage networks with a length of 226.4 km, TSE networks with a length of 156.5 km, and stormwater and ground water drainage networks with a length of 303 km. This is in addition to electricity lines, lighting, and all amenities associated with these services.

Northern Areas Projects

Eng. Ali Ashkanani, Head of the Northern Areas Section in Ashghal’s Roads Projects Department, pointed out that Ashghal has served 657 land plots in Al Ebb and Leabaib, and 545 plots in Al Kharaitiyat and Izghawa. The services provided for these residential plots include the development of internal roads and infrastructure services, in addition to the provision of dedicated parking lots, and pedestrian and cycle lanes. These works are part of Ashghal’s plan to serve citizens' subdivisions and meet the needs of the urban expansion in various parts of Qatar.

Eng. Fahad Al-Otaibi, Head of the Western Regions Section in the Roads Projects Department, indicated that Ashghal has completed the implementation of the main works on the Roads and Infrastructure Development Project in North Nasiriyah, the second package to provide a network of roads and advanced infrastructure services such as sewage networks and drainage networks, to serve 910 coupons in the area.

Al Kharaitiyat and Izghawa Projects

About the works carried out by Ashghal in Al Kharaitiyat and Izghawa, Eng. Abdulla Ali Al-Naemi, Al Kharaitiyat and Izghawa Projects Manager at the Roads Projects Department, explained that four packages of the project are currently being implemented in order to meet the needs of the area residents. He indicated that the four packages serve a total of 5,197 plots, by providing an integrated roads network with traffic safety elements, including street lighting systems and poles, pedestrians and cycles lanes, and road signs.

This is in addition to the provision of parks lots in order to enhance the traffic flow and provide connectivity with public facilities in the area. The projects also include establishing and developing infrastructure services including foul sewage networks, stormwater and ground water drainage networks, and TSE networks.

Mr. Abdullah bin Khalid Al Yafei, CMC Member – Constituency 17, said: “I am delighted to be with Ashghal project team today in the opening of the first phase of infrastructure projects in Al Kharaitiyat & Izghawa. These projects will have a positive impact on the lives of people living in the area.”

Al Ebb and Leabaib Projects

As for Al Ebb and Leabaib project, Eng. Hamad Al Bader, Al Ebb and Leabaib Projects Manager at Ashghal's Roads Projects Department, indicated that work is currently underway to implement five packages of the project that serve a total of 4,890 residential plots. This project will provide an integrated roads network and advanced infrastructure services such as foul sewage networks, stormwater and ground water drainage networks, and TSE networks. This is in addition to providing pedestrian and cycling lanes to encourage a healthy lifestyle, as well as installing lighting poles and providing parking lots.
Mr. Mishaal bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, CMC Member – Constituency 18 said: "We thank the project team, from Ashghal and the contractor, for this achievement, which is also the result of close coordination between Ashghal and us to complete the development of the area. We look forward to completing the remaining stages to the fullest."

Al Nasiriyah North Project

As for Al Nasiriyah North project, Eng. Khalid Al Quraishi, the project engineer, explained that the main works of the project are completed, through which 910 plots in citizens’ subdivisions were served. He added that an integrated infrastructure was provided, inclduing 22.9 km of roads, 21.4 km of foul sewage network, and 5.6 km of stormwater drainage networks. He further explained that the remaining works within the project are installing road signs and signals, as well as pavement and interlock works.

For his part, Mr. Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Khayareen, CMC Member – Constituency 16 said: "Today our constituency is completely developed. In Al Nasiriyah area, we have roads, lighting, interlock, schools and an integrated infrastructure that preceded construction of buildings."

Mr. Saeed Rashid Al-Khayareen, a resident of North of Al Nasiriyyah said: "I thank Ashghal for developing the roads in the area, providing pedestrian paths, and planting trees, which contributed to raising awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyle among residents."
Mr. Fahad Al-Nuaimi, a resident of Al Ebb and Leabaib, said: "The project is huge and provides integrated roads and infrastructure for the area. We are grateful to all entities involved in the project and all the engineers for their efforts."

Challenges

It is worth mentioning that the implementation of roads and infrastructure projects in existing residential areas requires a different process compared to implementation of main roads and highways. The internal road works are located in densely populated residential neighborhoods and close to citizens' homes, and sometimes in areas with high traffic.

One of the main challenges that faces the implementation of infrastructure on internal roads is the narrowness of the road. This challenge requires the working in phases within the road, and then implementing multiple traffic diversions, while providing entrances for the residents and safe lanes for pedestrians.

Extending infrastructure lines in these areas also requires excavations of up to 15 metres below the road surface. With the rocky nature of most areas, the necessary excavation works can only be carried out in limited times of the day in order to avoid excessive disturbance to the residents.  Most of these works are carried out by microtunneling technique using the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) under the surface of the earth to implement these deep excavations. Residents may not notice that there are ongoing works behind barriers, but works are actually being implemented several metres below the surface.

One of the challenges is the high level of groundwater due to sewage water leakage from houses, which must be resolved before implementing the necessary infrastructure, with the continuity of pumping and draining water during implementation.

Moreover, the requests from service entities that provide residential areas with telecommunication networks, electricity, water and other services are taken into consideration within the local roads projects. This requires direct coordination with all service entities in the country and with residents for home connections.

It is also important to protect the existing under-ground services in residential areas while implementing any excavations, in order to ensure that they are not affected and their continuity of work so as not to affect the residents.

Roles of Enhanced Contracts in Overcoming Challenges

To facilitate implementation of projects, Ashghal has signed several memoranda of understanding with various service and governmental entities to enhance cooperation between all parties and benefit from resources and expertise in many areas, in the interest of the public and citizens.

Since 2019, Ashghal has launched a package of contractual enhancements for infrastructure projects in citizens' subdivisions and existing areas, with the aim of streamlining the implementation of works and reducing their impact on the daily life of residents, while achieving quick responses to their demands and suggestions.

One of these contractual enhancements is dividing the work of each roads and infrastructure project into several geographical areas (zoning), in order minimize the negative effects of construction works, instead of carrying out works in all of the project area simultaneously, which increases the period of local road projects.

In addition, enhanced contracts include improving the general appearance of the project site, early preparation of the site, as well as applying Lean Construction principles which contributes to overcoming many challenges facing the projects. Collaborative Planning Sessions are held to identify and deal with potential challenges. These sessions take place in the Project Performance Monitoring Center, which is also one of the new procedures included in the enhanced contracts for citizens' subdivisions. This center monitors the project's performance across all areas to deal with any challenges or problems.

The enhanced contracts have resulted in tangible improvements represented in the ability to set more accurate timetables for completing works, enhancing the workers’ health and safety, and increasing the pace of works. In addition to that, Ashghal monitors the contractors’ performance across all implementation areas, including sustainability and environment, health and safety, public relations, and coordination with concerned authorities, using key performance indicators (KPI) system, upon which Ashghal will deduct part of the contractor’s payments in case of default in any of these areas.

An example of the challenges encountered through the Project Performance Monitoring Center in Al Khuraitiyat and Izghawa project (Package 3) implemented by Ashghal, is the duration required to supply some materials such as deep well lining materials. The project team developed an alternative lining design based on Flexible steel (Mild Steel) instead of stainless steel, thus, the delivery time became significantly shorter. The project team was also able to find a solution to groundwater dewatering by constructing a temporary lagoon, which resulted in starting the project works on time, in addition to cost saving.

Enhancing Communication with Residents

Enhanced contracts include the appointment of public relations officers who are Qataris or born in Qatar, in order to coordinate with the residents regarding any works that may affect their daily lives, such as traffic diversion, drainage connections, etc. This is in addition to the daily communication with residents to inform them of project progress and the services it provides, and responding to their comments, requests or suggestions.

This is in addition to distributing posters to all houses in the project area, which include information about the project and contact numbers to communicate directly with public relations officers for any inquiries or requests. It is worth noting that Ashghal takes into account all residents' comments to benefit from them in improving the implementation of works and mitigating the effects of the project.

Enhanced contracts also include establishing a system of key performance indicators to evaluate contractors’ performance in terms of responding to and communicating with residents. This also motivates contractors to implement community initiatives. For example, some of Ashghal contractors help residents move trees to a different location while assigning workers to take care of the trees until the work is completed, then return the trees to their original location in line with the new designs.

In order to ensure the residents’ satisfaction with contractors’ performance, Ashghal has assigned an electronic questionnaire for citizens' subdivisions and existing areas, whereby residents can evaluate contractors’ performance on a quarterly basis. Within the KPI system, part of the contractor’s payments are put on hold, and they are not paid to him except in the case of achieving the satisfaction of the residents in the area. This confirms the keenness of Ashghal to achieve its mission of delivering a world-class infrastructure while achieving customer satisfaction.

The Public Works Authority understands the inconvenience caused by construction works in residential areas, and we thank you for your cooperation. We assure you that we are exerting efforts to complete infrastructure development projects for citizens' subdivisions as quickly as possible and with the highest quality.