The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announced the completion of development works for the roads leading to Al Rayyan Stadium, and the roads surrounding Al Bayt Stadium. All roads within the two projects are open to traffic to provide a smooth traffic in the area and facilitate access to the two stadiums that will host a number of the 2022 World Cup matches.
On this occasion, Eng. Saoud Al-Tamimi, Manager of the Roads Projects Department at Ashghal, said that the opening of the roads for Al Bayt and Al Rayyan Stadiums before the completion of the stadiums’ construction works is an evidence of Ashghal’s commitment to implement the infrastructure and roads that serve Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup, and to deliver them within the planned schedules, stating that the two projects play a strategic role in providing a direction link to the stadiums.
Al-Tamimi also stressed that the completion of road works for Al Bayt and Al Rayyan Stadiums will significantly contribute to improving traffic in the area and reducing congestion during periods of hosting sporting events in the country. He explained that the projects facilitate access to bus and car parks around the two stadiums, and connect with many important arterial roads such as Al Khor Road and Al Egda Street, as well as Dukhan Highway and Celebrations Street.
Project to Develop Roads Surrounding Al Bayt Stadium
Eng. Hamad Al Bader, Ashghal’s supervisor for the Roads Surrounding Al Bayt Stadium project, said that the project includes the construction of roads at a total length of 13 km, 5.4 km of which are roads surrounding Al Bayt Stadium from the four sides and consisting of three lanes in each direction. The roads provide direct connection with main roads such as Al-Khor Road and Al Egda Street.
In order to facilitate the spectators' access to Al Bayt Stadium area, bus and car access points were provided to the designated parking spaces around the stadium, and they include six entrances with traffic lights to regulate the movement of cars inside the parking spaces, in addition to 19 designated bus entrances. Shared pedestrian and cycle paths of 11 km in length and 8.5 meters in width were constructed, in addition to installing lighting systems using energy saving LED lights that aesthetically fit the stadium lighting, installing ITS, afforestation and landscaping in the area surrounding the stadium.
Eng. Hamad Al Bader pointed out Ashghal’s keenness to improve traffic movement in the areas adjacent to Al Bayt Stadium. It developed Al-Egda Street by increasing the number of its lanes to three lanes in each direction. This is in addition to constructing a pedestrian path that is 4.4 km long and 3 metres wide on both sides of the road, starting from the roundabout at the entrance of Al Khor City until Al Bayt Stadium’s Northwest side, while providing a link to Al Khor Road, which is the main road to reach Al Bayt Stadium.
In addition to road works, the project included the construction of a sewage network with a length of 2.2 km, a separate stormwater drainage network and an irrigation network using TSE to irrigate the area leading to the stadium and its surroundings, which in turn is connected to the existing network near Al Khor Corniche.
Eng. Hamad Al Bader also noted that Ashghal is currently implementing development works on Ras Al Nouf Street leading to Al Farkiyah Street with a length of 1.5 km. All projects works are planned to be completed at the end of Q3, 2020.
Project to Develop Roads Leading to Al Rayyan Stadium
Eng. Mohammed Al Ateeq, Ashghal’s supervisor for the project implementation, noted that the project works included developing the roads leading to Al Rayyan Stadium which provide a direct link to and from the stadium, with a total length of about 5 km and includes two lanes in each direction. Three signal-controlled intersections and one roundabout were constructed to facilitate access to Mall of Qatar, Al Majd Road, and the roads connecting to the Celebrations Street. This comes in an aim to serve these vital destinations and Al Rayyan Hotel, as well as to facilitate movement of spectators between these destinations and the stadium, in addition to enhancing the capacity of the roads that are witnessing an increase in traffic density.
This project significantly helps link Al Rifaa area with the neighboring areas and facilitates access to the vital centres adjacent to the new roads such as Mall of Qatar, Al Rifaa Celebrations Complex and Al Rayyan Sports Club.
One of the most important features of the project is its link with Al Rifaa Metro Station, which is located at the Gate of Mall of Qatar, which serves visitors, business owners, fans and event organisers heading to and from Mall of Qatar, as well as Al Rayyan Stadium during the matches.
Eng. Mohammed Al Ateeq pointed out that the project also included the implementation of a 10-km surface water drainage network, a 3-km sewage network in addition to installation of 339 electricity poles, diversion of existing infrastructure services, installation of traffic lights, signs and road markings. This is in addition to afforestation and beautification works in the areas adjacent to the roads, on an area of 70,000 square metres including 216 trees and 1,300 shrubs. A 7-km irrigation network and a 2-km potable water network were also constructed.
Eng. Mohammed also stressed that in order to encourage the practice of sports activities, the project included providing pedestrian paths with a length of 10 km and a width of 10 metre, dedicated cycle paths with a length of 513 metres, and running paths with a length of 513 metres.