The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announces the opening of the seventh bridge at Umm Lekhba Interchange (Landmark), with a length of one kilometer, as part of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project, on Friday 1 January, 2021, providing free flow traffic for road users coming from Al Shamal Road towards Al Markhiya Street.
The new bridge is the highest bridge in this vital interchange, and the second highest flyover in Qatar after Umm Besher Interchange flyover, as it is located at a height of about 30 meters, and consists of one lane to accommodate about 2,000 vehicles per hour, which will significantly reduce the travel time for road users from the north in the direction of Al Markhiya street without the need to use the Al Gharrafa intersection (Immigration).
‘Ashghal’ also opened pedestrian and bicycle paths and beautification elements on the east side of the new Al Hatim Street in Al Gharrafa area, with a length of about 6 km, on an area of about 70 thousand square meters, where about 800 trees and 80 thousand square meter of shrubs and ground covers were planted. In addition, 22 bicycle racks and 18 benches have been provided along the street.
From his side, Eng. Ali Saeed Ibrahim, Project Engineer of Highway Project Department, confirmed that the new opening on Umm Lekhba Interchange will provide a free traffic flow from the North towards Al Markhiya, which will significantly reduce traffic pressure on Al Shamal Road (22 February Street) especially on Al Gharrafa Interchange or (known as the Immigration Interchange) as road users coming from Al Shamal and heading towards to Al Markhiya will now have direct access instead of making a U-turn at Immigration Interchange.
“The interchange is 96% completed, and the two remaining bridges will open by Q1, 2021”, he added.
Largest Interchange in Qatar
Umm Lekhba is the largest interchange in Qatar with a length of 11 kilometers. It consists of four levels and is the first in Qatar and contains nine bridges that provide free traffic flow in all directions.
The interchange accommodates more than 20,000 vehicles per hour. Five bridges consist of two lanes in one direction, while the other four bridges include one lane in one direction.
The interchange is the second highest interchange in Qatar after the interchange of Umm Bishr on the G-Ring Road where it is located at an altitude of 35 meters while the height of the highest bridge reaches 36 meters.
Interchange Significance
North Gate Interchange of Doha
Umm Lekhba Interchange is considered to be the northern gate of Doha and a “distribution point” due to its strategic location. The interchange is located at the northern gate of Doha, where heavy traffic to and from Doha via Al Shamal, it is located in an important spot where Al Shamal Road intersects with Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.
Above all, the interchange is located in a densely populated area and a vibrant commercial activity where there are many government entities, educational and health facilities as well as complexes and commercial markets.
The interchange will ease the pressure on Al Shamal Road, especially at the Al Gharrafa interchange known as Immigration and Al Duhail intersections. It will also achieve a great traffic flow in front of those coming from Doha Corniche, Markhiya, Madinat Khalifa and Duhail in the direction of Al Shamal Road, Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, Al Gharrafa and Gharrafat Al Rayyan areas to Al luqta and Al Rayyan.
Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will extend for approximately 25 kilometres from Hamad International Airport to Umm Lekhba Interchange (known as Landmark Interchange) on Al Shamal Road. In addition, Ashghal will enhance 12 kilometres of local and peripheral roads intersecting with the Corridor. The total road works of the project is approximately 37 kilometres.