H.E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior opened today the 33km Olympic Cycling Track on Al Khor Road as part of National Sports Day activities held by the Public Works Authority in presence of  H.E Mr. Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie , Minister of Municipality & Environment, HE Mr. Salah bin Ghanim Al Ali, Minister of Culture and Sport, HE Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, President of the Public Works Authority, HE Dr. Thani Al Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Dr. Hamad bin Abdul Aziz, Amir’s Advisor for Culture and Dr. Mohamed Jaham Al Kuwari, President of the Qatar Cycling Federation along with Dr. Abdulaziz Jaham Al Kuwari, President of Qatar Cyclists and Dr. Hassan Al Ansari, Secretary General of the Qatar Sports Federation for Special Needs.

Cycling Parade

The event included the participation of officials and employees from the Public Works Authority, the Qatar Olympic Committee, the Qatar Cycling Federation and Qatar Sports Federation for Special Needs, as well as a more than 500 cyclists, in addition to a distinguished participation of people with special needs in the cycling event on the Olympic path.

The opening of two new intersections

On the sideline of National Sports Day activities, the Public Works Authority announced opening two new interchanges; Al Daayen Interchange was available for the public Tuesday 11/2/2020 while the interchange of North Lusail to open Friday 14/2/2020.

On this occasion, H.E Mr. Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie , Minister of Municipality & Environment stressed that Qatar in the context of its great interest in sport is adopting infrastructure projects implemented by the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ to allocate pedestrian and cycle paths to encourage the public to practice sports.

H.E pointed that Ashghal’s achievements continues in different infrastructure works, as we open today the Olympic path for cycles to serve the sports sector as well as the opening of two new intersections that facilitate traffic movement to residential areas and many surrounding vital facilities.

H.E added that Al Khor Road will contribute to the development of the areas adjacent to this vital artery, which is considered as a development hub for the eastern coast, as it will establish new societies and a fertile environment for investment in all fields and serve more than 20 residential areas and connect many economic, sports, service and entertainment facilities along the way.

H.E praised the great efforts made by the Public Works Authority in the field of implementing many infrastructure projects in various parts of the country.

For his part, H.E Mr. Salah bin Ghanem Minister of Culture and Sports, said, “I thank Ashghal for this great achievement as opening of a 33km dedicated cycle path provides safety for the cyclists and allow them to avoid the danger of cycling on public roads”.
“Opening of such projects is in the interest of the whole society”, he added.

In turn, H.E Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, President of the Public Works Authority, stressed that Ashghal seeks to achieve sports infrastructure that contributes to changing the lifestyle through the practice of different sports, explaining that Ashghal is scheduled to provide 2,647 km of pedestrian and cycle paths in Qatar by 2022.

He explained that Al Khor Road is almost completed, as it is scheduled to be completed in mid-2020, more than two years before the start of the World Cup, especially as it serves Lusail Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium, where we also open a new intersection today that serves the Lusail Stadium and Al Daayen interchange that connects many service and vital facilities in Al Daayen, Umm Garn and traffic movement in the area.

HE Dr. Thani Al Kuwari, Second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee said, “Qatar is working to provide an infrastructure to serve the sports sector, which enables Qatar to organize all competitions and sports championships, expressing his happiness with the participation of Ashghal in the opening of the first Olympic cycle path simultaneously with the country's celebrations of the National Sports Day and an affirmation by the Qatar Olympic Committee on the integration of the country’s entities, including Ashghal to achieve a breakthrough in the sports field in general.

H.E stressed the importance of Al Khor Road, noting that the road has many advantages, the most important of which is the sports side as the road has an Olympic path for cycles and another path for pedestrians and cycles, as it connects to both Al Bayt Stadium and Lusail Stadium and is complemented by Qatar Rail, which will significantly contribute in facilitating the publics movement during the 2022 World Cup.

For his part, Dr. Mohamed Jaham Al Kuwari, President of the Qatar Cycling Federation, expressed his happiness in participating with Ashghal and Qatar Olympic Committee in the country's National Sports Day event, pointing that the cycle path that was opened is appropriate for all sports competitions, whether local or international, where its width reaches 7 Meters with a length of 33 kilometers.

In turn, Dr. Abdulaziz Jaham Al Kuwari, President of Qatar Cyclists said, we are participating today in the Sports Day event with Ashghal, which has provided an Olympic cycle path that will motivate many to practice cycling.

For his part, Dr. Hassan Al Ansari, Secretary General of the Qatar Sports Federation for Special Needs, stressed that the Sports Day activities implemented by the Public Works Authority were outstanding and the federation was keen to participate on its part, especially with the launching of the first Olympic Cycling Track.

He explained that the path that has been opened is appropriate for all ages and categories, including those with special needs, who participated in a professional way in the activities of Sports Day.

For his part, Talib Afifa Al Marri expressed his happiness at launching the go-ahead and the first Olympic path for cycles, adding that this is an unforgettable day where there is a great participation by senior political leaders (statesmen) and many riders, including those with special needs.

For his part, Player Ali Al Mass praised the Sports Day organization and the opening of the Olympic cycle path, noting that the extensive public presence for cycling demonstrates the awareness for the practice of this beautiful sport.

In turn, Player Abdulrahman Abdel Qader stressed that the sport of cycling is one of the fun sports that everyone can practice, praising the opening of the Olympic cycle path and its contribution in increasing the demand for this important sport.

For his part, Player Abdullah Al Mannai said that the launch of the Olympic path would contribute to encouraging the practice of cycling, including those with special needs, as the path is suitable for everyone.

Benefits of the new openings

Olympic Cucling Track

The Olympic Cycling Track extends along 33 km and a width of seven meters that will enable international sports competitions, especially since the Olympic path is designed to allow speeds up to 50 km per hour, notably with the construction of 29 tunnels and 5 bridges. Ashghal has provided a five car parking area stretching along the path near Qatar University, Lusail Station, Lusail International Circuit, Semaisma Interchange and Al Bayt Stadium, and the authority installed 1,450 lighting poles dedicated to the vital path to encourage cycling at night.

On the other side of Al Khor Road, shared pedestrian and cycle paths are being completed.

The paths are 34 km long, 6 m wide and 18 pedestrian and cycle underpass. To facilitate the use of the paths along the road, 80 bike racks are provided, along with 100 benches and 20 rest areas.

Al Khor Interchange with Lusail North

The new interchange is a vital as it is easy to reach Lusail Stadium on one side and Lusail Station on the other side and it serves Lusail North, Rawdhat Al Hamama, Al Kheesa and Wadi Al Banat.

The interchange consists of four bridges, two exit loops, and four exits, along with four underpasses. The interchange will improve traffic in the area, as it provides a free traffic flow to 28,000 vehicles per hour.

Al Daayen Interchange

Al Daayen interchange consists of two underpasses in Al Khor road, which facilitate the vehicles ’arrival to Al Daayen and Umm Garn and the surrounding areas. The interchange will contribute to enhancing traffic, as it accommodates about 8,000 vehicles per hour, as it consists of two lanes in each direction.

The interchange will serve many vital services and facilities such as the recreational complex, service center, Al Daayen Health Center, Al Daayen Municipality and other important facilities.

“The alternative to Al Shamal Road that will enhance north-east and south-west connectivity”

Al Khor Road main carriageway serves as an alternative route to Al Shamal Road and a major link between the northeast of the country and Doha, where the new road will shorten travel time taken by road users coming from Al Khor up to 65%, especially as the new road accommodates about 20000 vehicle per hour in both directions, where it consists of five lanes in each direction instead of two lanes in each direction.  Old Al Khor Road  used to accommodate 8000 vehicles per hour. 

 “The corridor of the east coast development”

Al Khor Road will create a new demographic and urban areas extending along the east coast of Doha to Al Khor and Ras Laffan. The road will become the center of development to encourage the population of Doha to move outside the historic city and to reconstruct the eastern areas of Qatar to Al Khor, so Lusail will become the wanted city to live in. The project will open the door for more investment, whether in the field of business or real estate or increase the agricultural area as it took into account all future infrastructure projects in the areas of telecommunications, water drainage, and sewage, among others.

Main Roads

The Al-Khor road is connected to several major roads along the length of the road, which in turn connect to the parallel north road, such as the Al-Khor Road, Semaisma Road, Al Majd Road and Al Tarfa Street, which provides a variety of options for road users to travel between the northern and eastern regions as well as the western and southern regions via the Al Majd Road.

Camel crossings

Al Khor Road includes the establishment of a single camel underpass for the safety of camels and traffic on the road, without obstructing road users.

Residential Areas

Al Khor Road along with Al Khor serves more than 20 residential areas such as Semaisma, Umm Qarn, Tinbak, Wadi Al Banat, Rawdat Al Hamama, Legtaifiya, Lusail, the Pearl and Al Turfa.

The new road also facilitates access to Mesaieed and Dukhan through its intersection with Al Majd Road.

Sport Facilities

Al Khor Road is a major link to a number of 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums. It provides direct connection to Lusail and Al Bayt stadiums and facilitates access to Al Rayyan and Education City stadiums through its connection to Al Majd Road. Additionally, the new road facilitates access to Semaisma and Al Khor Youth Centres, Al Khor Sports Club, Lusail Sports Complex and Doha Golf Club.

Economic Facilities

Al Khor Road will serve a number of economic and vital facilities such as Rass Laffan, Lusail City, the Pearl and West Bay, all business and vital facilities and hotels. Furthermore, it will facilitate access to Al Daayen Services Complex and Lusail Reserves.

Leisure Facilities

The newly opened road will also provide enhanced traffic flow to a number of recreational and tourist destinations such as Katara, Semaisma Beach, Al Farkiya Beach and Al Daayen Celebration Hall Complex.

Educational Institutions

Al Khor Road facilitates access to some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the State of Qatar such as Qatar University, Community College of Qatar, Qatar Leadership Academy, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies and College of the North Atlantic.

Facts and Figures

Upgrading works on Al Khor Road started in the last quarter of 2016 to reach 96% of progress. Upon project completion in mid-2020, a great deal of road preparation works will have been done comprising of 11.5 million cubic metres of filling and compacting works, 2.3 million tonnes of asphalting and 580 thousand cubic metres of concrete. In addition to implementing excavation works comprising of 10.87 million cubic metres, 167 km of rainwater and sewage water drainage lines and 110 km to extend the pipeline for irrigation and treated water treatment network along with 160 km of electricity and 290 km of telecommunications network.