• Login
  • Register
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map

Ashghal > Home > Media Hub > Press Releases HE the Prime Minister and the Kuwaiti Emir Representative Kick off the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor Project

HE the Prime Minister and the Kuwaiti Emir Representative Kick off the "Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor" Project

2/24/2019

HE the Prime Minister and the Kuwaiti Emir Representative Kick off the "Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor" Project

His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Representative of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahamd Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, have launched Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project, in the presence of a number of ministers, members of  Kuwaiti delegation and diplomatic representatives and senior officials as well as representatives from the project contractors were also present in the ceremony.

The launching of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor coincides with the celebrations of Kuwait's National Day and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad to recognise Kuwait support and strengthen bonds of solidarity and brotherhood between Qatar and Kuwait. The diplomatic relationship between the two countries is growing stronger under the guidance of the countries’ two leaders H.H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar and H.H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait.

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor is the first in Qatar to be called the "Corridor" instead of a road due to its great importance and specifications of its unique construction, with the completion of the new Corridor in 2021 with a length of 25 kilometers and a total works of 37 kilometers, the road will have the first Cable-Stayed Bridge in Qatar as well as the largest intersection, longest bridge, deepest and longest bi-directional tunnel.

The road will increase the importance of the Corridor that will include the upgrade of seven (7) main roads to become not only the "Doha traffic relief" by providing an alternative route to the busy 22 February street and a double traffic capacity, but also will link another traffic from the south of the country to the north via Doha By linking the Doha Expressway with the southern part of it (Al Wakra Bypass).

Statements from their excellences ministers on the launching ceremony of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.

On this occasion, H.E Eng. Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Municipality and Environment,  E Eng. Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Municipality and Environment, expressed his happiness at the launch of "Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor" project in Qatar, which expresses our gratitude to the State of Kuwait for its unwavering brotherly stand with the people of Qatar.

Naming “Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor” after H.H Emir of Kuwait is a token of appreciation for Kuwait’s consistent support of Qatar both politically and economically.

He continued to say that this is the least that Qatar could do to honour this bond. In a reference to the road’s significance, the Minister highlighted that Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor is  a vital artery of Qatar’s road network enhancing north-south connectivity and providing access to more than 25 residential areas.

H.E Mr. Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, the Minister of Transport and Communications expressed that the launch of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor is a gesture to celebrate Kuwait’s 58th National Day and 28th  liberation anniversary on February 25th and share the festivities with our brothers in Kuwait. Like every year we celebrate with our bothers in Kuwait these two great occasions, hoping to intensify affection and brotherhood between the two sisterly countries.

He added that the new Corridor includes several multi-level interchanges, which will significantly relieve traffic on Doha Expressway, provide smooth traffic flow between south and north of Doha as well as reduce the travel time by up to 70%. It will also provide a direct connection to Hamad International Airport as well as a link to approximately 15 major expressways and ring roads to serve many economic, commercial, health and education facilities across Doha.

H.E Dr. Saad Bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, President of The Public Works Authority Ashghal, expressed his pride of the launch of the new Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project as a consolidation of the brotherly relations between the people of Qatar and Kuwait and the loyalty to the people and  His Highness the Emir of the State of Kuwait.

He explained that Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor is the first road in the country called the Corridor because of its strategic importance and specifications of its unique construction on pointing out that the road will serve as a "Doha traffic relief" where it will reduce traffic congestion on 22 February Street through finding a parallel alternative road, with a vehicle capacity of nearly the double.

H.E the President of The Public Works Authority explained that the Corridor project was launched in 2018, includes four (4) contracts, which will upgrade E-Ring Road, F-Ring Road, Mesaimeer Road, Al Bustan Street South and Al Bustan Street North and is expected to be complete by 2021.

He added “Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will facilitate access to five (5) of the 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums namely Ras Bu Abboud, Al Thumama, Al Wakrah, Khalifa International and Qatar Foundation Stadiums”.

Overview of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will extend for approximately 25 kilometres from Hamad International Airport to Umm Lekhba Interchange (known as Landmark Interchange) on Doha Expressway. Its scope includes the upgrade of seven (7) main roads namely, E Ring, F Ring, Mesaimeer, Al Bustan, Bu Erayyen, Lebday and sections of Al Markhiya Street. 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.   

“Delivering traffic relief in Doha”

Once completed in 2021, Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will significantly contribute to the relief of traffic congestion on Doha Expressway in particular, 22 February Street. The new Corridor will be a vital alternative and parallel route that will serve thousands of daily commuters from the north to the south of Doha. Commuters travelling from Hamad International Airport will be able to reach Umm Lekhba Intersection in approximately 18 minutes compared to the current 50 minutes via Doha Expressway and 22 February Street reducing traffic time by 70%.

The new Corridor will also form a vital link between the north and the south of Doha through Al Watiyyat Interchange, at F Ring Road, which will constitute a key point to accommodate traffic to both Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor and Doha Expressway. This interchange will also create a vital connection between Doha Expressway and Southern Part of Doha Express Highway (Al Wakra Bypass) as well as to Mesaieed Road further south.

The current road layout holds up to three (3) lanes in each direction, which will be upgraded to between four (4) and five (5) lanes in each direction. This expansion will accommodate approximately 20,000 vehicles per hour in both directions on the Corridor while Doha Expressway currently accommodates 12,000 vehicles per hour, which will significantly improve traffic movements in the surrounding areas.

The project will convert all roundabouts to more efficient and safer signalised junctions as well as build and upgrade 17 interchanges. These interchanges will deliver 32 bridges and 12 vehicular underpasses to enhance connectivity and provide smooth traffic movements in addition to 12 pedestrian bridges.

65 kilometres of pedestrian and cycle paths along with 1.5 million square metre of landscaping will also be delivered as part of the project’s scope of works.

Record achievements

First Cable-Stayed Bridge in Qatar

Sabah Al Ahmed Corridor includes the first Cable-Stayed Bridge in Qatar with a length of 1200 metres. It extends from Mesaimeer Road to Al Bustan Street and crosses over Halul Intersection on Mesaimeer Road and Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection on Salwa Road.

Longest Bridge

The Corridor will be the home to the longest flyover in the country, which spans 2.6 kilometres extending from Al Bustan Street to Bu Erayyen Street and crossing over Al Waab Street and Rasheeda Street.

Largest Interchange

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will include the largest Interchange in Qatar. The impressively complex Umm Lekhba (Landmark) Interchange has nine (9) bridges providing a free traffic flow in all directions highlighting its significance as a key access point on Doha Expressway for local residential areas and malls.

Longest and deepest bi-directional tunnel

The project consists of the recently opened Al Rayyan Road, which is the longest and deepest bi-directional tunnel in Qatar. It sits 25 metres below ground level and extends for 2.1 kilometres connecting Bu Erayyen Street and Lebday Street.

Residential Areas and Main Roads

The new Corridor is a major link facilitating connections to 15 main roads namely Al Wakra Road, Ras Bu Abboud Road, E Ring Road, F Ring Road, Industrial Road, Salwa Road, Al Rayyan Road, Al Waab Street, Al Luqta Street, Al Markhiya Street, Doha Highway and Khalifa Avenue. It will serve 25 densely populated residential areas such as Al-Thumama, Al Nuaija, Bu Hamour, Al Waab, Al Rayyan, Al Luqta, Al Gharrafa, etc.

World Cup Stadiums

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will facilitate access to most of the World Cup FIFA 2022 stadiums including Ras Bu Abboud, Al Thumama, Al Wakra, Khalifa International and Qatar Foundation Stadiums.

Qatar Rail

The Corridor provides easy access to some of Doha Metro stations such as the Economic Zone, Al Waab and Old Rayyan.

Drive through Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project

Once completed, road users coming from Hamad International Airport and southern Doha and heading north will be able to use the new Corridor via F-Ring Road then continue on the existing Mesaimeer flyover to use the new 900-metre bridge crossing over Al Shehaimiya Interchange (formerly known as Bu Hamour Interchange). The new Cable-Stayed Bridge will allow road users to drive towards the north avoiding Halul Intersection and Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection on Salwa Road to smoothly reach Al Bustan Street. From there, road users will be able to continue their journey using the 2.6 kilometre bridge. This will allow them to avoid the Snay Bu Hasa Intersection and Al Waab Intersection as well as Lekhwiya Roundabout, which will be converted to a signalised junction. At this stage, road users would have reached Bu Erayyen Street where they will be able to drive through the recently opened tunnel at Lebday Interchange in Al Rayyan, which connects to Lebday Street. Two additional bridges will deliver a free traffic flow to alleviate the traffic at Mekkah and Al Luqta Intersections and deliver connectivity to Thani Bin Jassim tunnel to continue their journey to the north, road users will be able to drive through Al Markhiya Street in Al Gharrafa and reach Umm Lekhba Interchange (known as Landmark Interchange).

4 contracts

The Corridor project is composed of 4 contracts: E-Ring and F-Ring Road Upgrade, Mesaimeer Road Upgrade, Al Bustan Street South Upgrade and Al Bustan Street North which will deliver new interchanges and connections:

  1. Contract One – E-Ring & F-RingRoad Upgrade Project

The E-Ring Road project will construct and upgrade 8.5 kilometers of roads to create strategic links between eight (8) expressways and major ring roads, which will further strengthen north-south connectivity in Qatar. It will enable the connectivity between the Southern Part of Doha Expressway and the Doha Expressway, in addition to creating a vital connection between D-Ring Road, E-Ring Road, F-Ring Road, G-Ring Road, Rawdat Al Khail Street and Industrial Area Road.

Apart from enhancing the connectivity, the E-Ring Road upgrade project will relief traffic congestion on the adjacent roads such as Doha Expressway, Najma Street, Airport Road and Al Wakrah Main Road and significantly reduce the travel time by up to 60% by using the new road to reach their destinations.

As part of the E-Ring Road upgrade project, there will be two vital multi-level interchanges, Al Watiyyat and formally known Al Khamees Al Obaidly Interchange, In addition to a five-lane on each side connecting both interchanges.

Ashghal has opened up to 90% of Al Watiyyat Interchange to traffic via Doha Expressway, Rawdat Al Khail Road, Industrial Area Road and E-Ring Road heading towards Hamad International Airport, Bu Hamour and Mesaimeer via F-Ring Road; or towards Al Wakra and Al Wukair via the Southern Part of Doha Expressway.

Al Watiyyat Interchange once completed at the F-Ring interchange and the Southern Part of Doha Expressway, Al Watiyyat Interchange  includes three (3) main bridges and four (4) vehicular underpasses to facilitate access to the surrounding residential areas such as Al Thumama, Mesaimeer, Bu Hamour, Nuaija, Al Wakra and Al Wukair. It will also provide a free flow traffic for road users coming from these areasheading to Hamad International Airport, southern areas or northern areas throughout Doha.

In line with 2022 FIFA World Cup readiness, Al Watiyyat Interchange will facilitate the commute between the stadiums of Al Wakra, Ras Bu Abboud and Al Thumama allowing fans to travel in a record time to attend the games. It directly connects to Al Thumama Stadium, this achievement comes as part of the infrastructural readiness to host this major worldwide event. The new interchange will facilitate new paths to the stadium goers where it consists of two (2) bridges and six (6) pedestrian and cycle underpasses that will provide an easy and safe journey to the stadiums.

Formerly known Khamees Al Obaidly Interchange will be replaced by another three-level interchange composed of three levels , consisting two (2) bridges and nine (9) vehicle underpasses to form a strategic free flow connection between Rawdat Al Khail Street, Industrial Area Road in both directions and E-Ring Road on the southern part of Doha Expressway.

Road users can also use tunnels that provide free traffic flow between the southern part of the Doha Expressway, as well as the E-Ring and F-Ring Road, Rawda Al Khail Street and Industrial Area Road.

Upon completion, this interchange will allow road users to avoid the traffic congestion on the surrounding roads to facilitate access to Nuaija, Al Maamoura, Al Thumama and Industrial areas.

The E-Ring and F-Ring Road upgrade project will improve access to economic and public facilities such as Hamad International Airport and the Industrial Area among others.

2. Contract 2 – Mesaimeer Road Upgrade Project

The Mesaimeer Road Upgrade extends 4 kilometres along Mesaimeer Bridge  via  Mesaimeer south intersection (Bu Hamour Junction) to South of Al Waab intersection.
The project will include the upgrade of Mesaimeer Road  and part of Al Bustan Street to four (4) lanes instead of three (3) lanes in each direction, as well as upgrading three main interchanges to include shehaniyah intersection and Halul Roundbaout and Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection and  the construction of two bridges with four lanes in each direction. The first bridge is 900 metres long and crosses over Bu Hamour Street at Al Shehaniya Interchange while the second cable-stayed bridge is 1.2 kilometres long. The project includes:

the Project consists of an 8.4 kilometres of pedestrian and cycle paths spanning the whole length of the main carriageway in both directions in addition to the construction of three (3) pedestrian bridges.

Upon the project completion, the  road capacity is expected to accommodate 10000 vehicles per hour in both direction, which will significantly reduce travel time up to 65%.
Mesaimeer Road Upgrade project will deliver connectivity to several main roads such as F-Ring Road, Industrial Area Road, Bu Hamour Street, Halul Street and Salwa Road which will serve as the connection to users heading  from north to south and link many densely residential areas such as Bu Hamour, Mesaimeer, Al Maamoura and Al Waab. The project will also serve multiple public amenities such as the Wholesale Marketin addition to businesses areas along Salwa Road and health and education facilities surrounding the area as well as close by residential compounds.

The Public Works Authority Ashghal  upgraded the surrounding areas and also included lanes expansion and conversion of all roundabouts to signalised junctions t such as Bu Hamour Street, Halul Street, Al Jassasiya Street, Snay Bu Hasa Street and the Wholesale Market Street, Al Sidr Street parallel to Mesaimeer Road to enhance capacity and deliver a smooth traffic flow  in the surrounding areas such as Bu Hamour and Al Waab while the  constructionworks being conducted on Mesaimeer Road and Al Waab which will enhance traffic flow in thes urrounding areas.

3. Contract 3 – Al Bustan Street South Upgrade

Al Bustan South Road project is the natural extension of the Mesaimeer Road upgrade project with a length of 3.1 km and a number of four (4) lanes in each direction. Senay Bu Hasa intersection will also be upgraded as well as Al Waab intersection and Lekhwiya Roundabout, 10 bridges will be constructed to provide a 18.2 km of pedestrian and cycle paths.

The project includes the longest bridge in Qatar with a length of 2.6 km over Snay Bu Hasa, Al Waab Street and Al Rasheeda Street.

Main Interchanges

  • Al Waab / Al Bustan Interchange

A three-level interchange between Al Waab Street and South of Al Bustan Street. This interchange includes a bridge providing a free traffic flow along Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor as well as two (2) Flyovers to connect the traffic between Al Waab Street and Al Bustan Street, reducing traffic congestion at Al Waab intersection.

  • Snay Bu Hasa / Al Bustan Interchange 

A two-level signalised junction. This interchange will improve traffic flow along Snay Bu Hasa and provide access to Al Waab area 

  •  Al Rasheeda Interchange / Al Bustan Interchange

A two-level signalized junction. This junction will provide a free flow connectivity to Al Rasheeda Street , Al Khufoos, and Al Sadd Street and improve the accessibility to residential areas including Fereej Al Emir and Luaib.

4. Contract 4 – Al Bustan Street North Upgrade

Located at the northern far end of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, Al Bustan Street North Upgrade will provide a link between Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor and 22 Februaury Street; it is also considered one of the iconic architectural icons because the project is located in a densely populated areas in the heart of Doha.

The project will upgrade 3.6 kilometres of roads from east of Al Luqta Roundabout to Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor with Mekkah Street. The project includes the upgrade of main roads intersecting the Corridor, such as 1.7 km of Al Shamal Road, Khalifa Avenue and Al Ittihad Street, as well as parallel service roads. The project includes the upgarde of Al Bustan Street to four (4) lanes in each direction instead of three lanes to increase the capacity to about 8000 vehicles per hour and improve the level of traffic safety.

The main carriageway on Al Bustan Street will be upgraded from 3 to 4 lanes in each direction to increase the vehicular capacity by up to 8000 vehicles per hour and improve the road safety.

The project consist of four (4) interchanges with 13 vehicular bridges and underpasses, in addition to  pedestrian and cycle paths of 16 km will be parallel service roads to serve the surrounding areas such as Madinat Khalifa, Duhail and Al Gharrafa.

Al Bustan Street works as a main link between Umm Lekhba, Al Gharrafa, Al Luqta and Madinat Khalifa north to connect many commercial facilities and residential areas. It also links a number of important roads, such as Al Shamal Road, Al Luqta Street, Mekkah Street and Al Rayyan Road.

Main Interchanges:

Umm Lekhba Interchange:  will be the largest interchange in Qatar, as it comprise of 9 bridges providing free flow connectivity in all directions. It links Al Markhiya Street to Doha Expressway and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.

Thani Bin Jassim Interchange: A multi-level bridge connecting Al Ittihad Street to Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, facilitating traffic movements to road users from Al Bustan Street and Al Luqta to Al Gharrafa Area.

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor/Khalifa Avenue: A multi-level intersection that includes a tunnel providing a free traffic flow along Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor linking Al Gharrafa to Al Luqta area and a ground-level traffic signals providing traffic flow in all directions.

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor/Mekkah Street: A multi-level intersection that includes a tunnel which provides a smooth traffic along Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor linking Al Gharrafa to Al Luqta areas to the southern part of Al Rayyan project. Traffic signals at a ground-level will provide traffic control in all directions.