As part of efforts to provide integrated infrastructure, advanced roads and utilities across Qatar, the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announced beginning of implementation of the first package of the Roads and Infrastructure Development Project in Umm Slal Mohammed, located at the west of Al Shamal Road.
Eng. Ali Ashkhanani, Head of North Areas Section at Roads Projects Department of Ashghal explained features of the project, saying that the project serves 623 plots of citizens' subdivisions in Umm Slal Mohammed. He added that integrated infrastructure will be constructed with advanced services along with internal streets to improve streamlined traffic flow and linking with public utilities to be constructed in the area in future.
Eng. Hamad Al Bader, Manager of Umm Slal Mohammed area Project at Roads Projects Department of Ashghal clarified that the project includes development and construction of a 36 km road network with provision of traffic safety elements such as street lighting systems and poles, signboards and road signages, besides provision of 4,310 parking spaces.
Within the scope of the project, a 54 km long surface and groundwater drainage network will be constructed and linked to the main surface water drainage network in order to protect the area from flooding during rainy season. Another 15.8 km treated water network will be constructed to serve future green areas, besides establishing a 10 km long potable water network. New drainage pipes will be installed and extended to connect with the main drainage network and the present system of using household septic tanks will be eliminated.
Eng. Al Bader also hinted at the plan to rely on local materials and manufacturers in most part of the project works. Thus, Qatari local sources will be relied upon to supply materials and elements such as gabbro, streetlight columns and lamps, signboards, sewage pipes, rainwater drainage pipes, asphalt layers, precast manholes, concrete and steel. The plan aims at using local components up to 85% of the project's work, within Ashghal’s initiative to support local manufacturers and the Ta’heel initiative launched by Ashghal in 2017 in this regard.
Eng. Ashkanani stressed Ashghal’s keenness to accelerate the implementation of development work and to reduce as much as possible the effects resulting from construction works that may cause inconvenience to the residents and visitors of the area. the department divided the project into four geographical areas, to be implemented in succession, and each phase takes one year to implement, with the aim of facilitating the implementation of works. It is planned that the implementation of all project works will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Hamad Bin Khaled Contracting Company (HBK) will implement this phase of the project with a total cost amounting to 616 million Qatar Riyals.