Along with the celebration of Qatar National Day, the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announces opening of vital parts of highway networks works in various projects. The North Bridge on Duhail Interchange and Wadi Al-Banat Interchange on Al-Khor Road were opened to traffic on Friday 13/12/2019. New parts of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will be opened on the National Day, 18/12/2019 including the interchange connecting Rasheeda Street with Sabah Al-Ahmad Corridor (formerly known as Lekhwiya Roundabout). Additionally, the second bridge at Umm Lekhba Interchange will be opened by the end of December 2019.
The dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony include Eng. Youssef Al-Emadi, Director of Projects Affairs, Ashghal, Eng. Bader Darwish, Manager of Expressway Projects Department, Ashghal, Brig Mohammed Marafih, Director of Engineering Traffic Safety Department, along with several engineers from Ashghal and representatives of the companies that implement the four projects.
On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al Muhannadi, President of Ashghal commented that these openings coincided with the celebration of Qatar National Day, based on the directives of H. E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, who was closely following implementation of various projects and urging for speedy completion, noting that Al Shamal Bridge hit a record by being opened within only nine months by a Qatari Contractor and with local materials of around 60%.
H.E. Dr. Saad Al Muhannadi added that Ashghal is keen to complete all projects assigned based on carefully studied priorities and not limited to a specific region, noting that today Ashghal could announce opening of projects in four different regions at the same time and this will follow other openings in near future.
For his part, Eng Youssef Al Emadi, Director of Projects Affairs, asserted that Ashghal has adopted specific strategy to manage various infrastructure projects, which implies the completion of vital parts of the project and open them with one by one rather than waiting for total completion of the project. This strategy is proved successful and evident during the recent openings of various projects and it has had a significant positive impact on traffic throughout the State.
Eng. Al-Emadi upheld this by his words, “we have opened vital parts of Al Khor Road during March 2019 including the main carriageway and three vital interchanges, followed by other interchanges totaling seven interchanges so far.
On the other hand, Eng. Bader Darwish, Manager of Expressway Projects Department confirmed that Ashghal has accomplished more than 150 km of highway network during year 2019, as it witnessed opening of vital roads such as Al Khor Road, Al Majd Road and vital parts of various other projects.
Eng. Darwish pointed out that Ashghal has taken great strides in highway projects achievements, with the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project achieving more than 72%, opening of the second bridge at Umm Lekhba Interchange within two months, opening of Muraikh Interchange (previously known as Lekhwiya) after converting the roundabout to a two-level interchange. He also added that the works of North Bridge were completed within record time, despite its works started only in March 2019, and achieved three months prior to the deadline.
Opening Al Shamal Bridge
The Public Works Authority ‘’Ashghal” inaugurated Al Shamal Bridge, the first section of Al Duhail Interchange, on Friday 13th December 2019. The new 200 m bridge was delivered 9 months only from the beginning of works on March 2019.
The new bridge will deliver five (5) lanes in northbound direction and 4 lanes in southbound direction instead of (3) lanes in both directions, providing a free-flow traffic and upgrading the vehicles capacity from 12000 to 18000 vehicles per hour in both directions.
- Upgrading works on Al Duhail IC started in the first quarter of 2019 to reach 26% of progress. A large section of road preparation works was completed comprising of 125000 cubic meters of excavation works, 40000 tons of asphalting and around 17000 thousand cubic meters of concreting as well as 3922 tons of Rebar. Infrastructure development work has also been executed within the scope of the project, 2550 m of rainwater and sewage water drainage lines to prevent water accumulation during the rainy season and 1293m to extend the pipeline for irrigation and treated water treatment network along with 11.3 km of electricity networks and 60% of the used materials was procured locally: made in Qatar.
Duhail Interchange and Project
The Duhail Interchange project consists of upgrading the old Duhail intersection to a three-level interchange including two (2) new bridges and 3.3 kilometer of main carriageway.
The old Shamal Bridge was demolished and upgraded to 5 lanes in Northbound and 4 lanes in southbound instead of 3 lanes in both directions. The new Al Gharrafa bridge will deliver three (3) lanes in each direction providing free-flow connectivity from Al Khafji Street towards Al Gharrafa Street.
A new signalized junction under Al Shamal Bridge will replace Duhail Roundabout. It will facilitate the movements for Al Shamal road users and provide them with an access to Al Gharrafa and Al Duhail area. In addition, the interchange will have a new underpass connecting road users coming from Al Shamal to the nearby commercial facilities. It will also serve as the connection from Al Gharrafa Street towards Al Shamal.
Furthermore, Sheikh faysal Roundabout located at Al Gharrafa street will be upgraded to a right in and out intersection that will considerably reduce the traffic congestion there. A total of 5.5 kilometers of pedestrian and cycle paths will be constructed parallel to the main carriageway along Duhail and Gharrafa areas and Al Shamal Road.
Al Duhail IC is located in a densely populated area with a vital commercial activity. It serves many residential areas alongside its carriageway in addition to several educational, health, commercial and public amenities in the surrounding areas.
Besides its significant role in linking multiple residential areas, this interchange will considerably decrease the traffic congestion on Al Shamal Road especially on Al Gharrafa and Duhail area as it will grant a free flow traffic for road users coming from Al Markhiya, Madinat Khalifa and Al Duhail area towards Al Gharrafa and will provide a direct link for those heading from Al Gharrafa, Gharrafat Al Rayyan. al luqta and Al Rayyan towards Al Duhail. The new road layout will considerably reduce the traffic congestion in the area as it will allow road users to reach their desired destinations while saving travel time by up to 90% compared to the same journey via the old intersection. The upgrade of Duhail Intersection is expected to complete in Q2 2021.
Wadi Al Banat Interchange on Al Khor Road
The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announced the opening of Wadi Al Banat interchange part of Al Khor Road on Friday, 13 December 2019. By this addition, Al Khor road will have 7 operational interchanges from a total of ten interchanges.
The new two-level interchange is consisting of 4 Bridges with 150 m length each. The two main bridges deliver 3 lanes while the two others deliver 4 lanes. Furthermore, the interchange has 2 loops, 4 ramps with 2 lanes each and 4 underpasses.
The new addition is located south of Al khor road at Lusail City. It primarily serves road users coming from Dukhan Road, Al Shamal road by providing a direct connection to Lusail city and West Bay area.
East side, the interchange availed a further efficient travel option as it allows a direct connectivity to Al Shamal road without passing through Al Tarfa street which will considerably reduce the traffic congestion and enhance the traffic flow on Al Tarfa street.
The newly delivered interchange serves numerous economic, commercial, sports and public amenities in addition to several residential areas such as Lusail city, Al Khessa, El Ebb, Leabaib and Wadi Al Banat.
By this opening, the project is reaching 94% of completion and only 3 interchanges and some parts of pedestrians and cyclist’s paths are remaining.
Ashghal is actively working on completing the remaining sections of the project by the second quarter of 2020.
A large section of road preparation works was completed comprising of 11.2 million cubic metres of filling and compacting works, 2.14 million tons of asphalting and 580 thousand cubic metres of concreting. Infrastructure development work has also been completed within the scope of the project. 92 km of rainwater and sewage water drainage lines to prevent water accumulation during the rainy season and 152 km to extend the pipeline for irrigation and treated water treatment network along with 157 km of electricity and 308 km of telecommunications networks.
Second Umm Lekhba Flyover
Opening of a new flyover bridge and an Interchange at Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor
The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announces its completion of the second flyover bridge at Umm Lekhba Interchange with a length of 537 meters providing a free flow traffic from Al Markhiya towards 22 February Street to the south of Doha.
The new flyover bridge, which is scheduled to open at the end of December 2019, connects traffic from Al Markhiya to Doha in the direction Al Gharrafa Interchange (Passport Interchange) and 22 February Street that will reduce travel time.
The new flyover will improve traffic in the area which will accommodate around 4000 vehicles per hour to serve those coming from Al Duhail, Madinat Khalifa. Al Markhiya areas and Corniche towards the south of Doha and Al Gharrafa.
It also offers an alternative route for road users coming from the commercial facilities such as Landmark Mall, Tawar Mall, many schools and health facilities.
The bridge consists of a unidirectional lane from Al Markhiya to Doha Al Gharrafa with a total width of about 12.8 meters, and a height of 21 meters located on the third level of Umm Lekhba Interchange, which consists of four levels.
The opening of this bridge comes less than two months after the opening of the first flyover bridge at Umm Lekhba Interchange which extends with a length of 820 m from the new Al Hateem Street to 22 February StreetThe two bridges meet on 22 February Street to form three lanes. These two bridges contribute to the smooth flow of traffic towards 22 February Street and the south of Doha.
It is worth mentioning that 65% of the Umm Lekhba interchange development, known as Landmark Interchange, has been completed. Pointing out that the construction of this huge and vital interchange is underway around the clock to complete it. Followed by other openings until 2020.
The new interchange once completed in Q4 of 2020 will significantly improve traffic to shorten the journey time by more than 70%. The bridges provide nine arteries that provide a free traffic flow in nine directions in addition to the free traffic on Al Shamal road as well as the underpass of the old interchange linking Al Markhiya Street and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.
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 station” 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 the Doha Expressway, Al Markhiya Street and 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 Doha Expressway, 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.
New Interchange on Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor
The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announces opening of a new interchange at the intersection of Al Rasheeda Street and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor on December 18, 2019 after converting the Lekhwiya roundabout to a two-level interchange to connect Al Rasheeda Street with Sabah Al-Ahmad Corridor.
The interchange includes a signalized intersection in all directions, along with opening a part of the longest bridge in Qatar, one kilometer long above the intersection to provide free flow traffic for commuters from the Al Mukafaha Intersection with Al Rayyan Road towards Al Waab reducing travel time by more than 50%, as the the bridge can accommodate more than 4000 vehicles per hour. It facilitates movement of traffic on major roads including Al Amir Street, Al Rasheeda Street, Sabah Al Ahmed Corridor, Al Waab Street, Al Rayyan Street, Al-Khufoos Street and Al Samriya Street, serving the neighborhoods of Luaib, Muraikh, Mehairja, Al Waab and Al Sadd.
The works executed for completion of this interchange include construction of a rainwater drainage network along 12.5 km, treated water lines of 11 km length and 19 km of telecommunication lines. The materials used in construction include about 205,000 cubic meters of concrete and 48,000 tons of asphalt. The works also necessitated excavation works at about 56,000 cubic meters, as well as backfilling and paving by 153,000 square meters.
Longest bridge in Qatar
Al Rasheeda Interchange includes part of the longest bridge in Qatar with a length of 3.1 km extending over Al Rasheeda Street intersecting with Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, Al Waab Interchange and the intersection of Snay Bu Hasa Street with Sabah Al-Ahmad Corridor. Opening the newly constructed Signalized Junction at the at Al Rasheeda Interchange will enable all the turning movements thus improve the accessibility/connectivity to all the adjacent neighborhoods. The capacity of the signalized junction is approximately 10,000 vph 10,000 vehicles per hour.
This interchange serves many vital entities and facilities in the region such as Internal Security Forces ‘Lekhwiya’, Khalifa International Stadium, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, shopping neighborhoods such as Villagio Mall, educational institutions and health facilities.