04 September 2016

Projects worth more than QR38.98bn are currently underway across Qatar as part of Ashghal's plan to develop the country's Expressways.

A report in Ashghal's annual report (2015) said until December 2015, construction projects worth QR49.8bn had been awarded by Ashghal as part of its ambitious Expressway Project.

As per the report, currently 11 Expressway Projects are in different stages of construction and 10 more are in the design phase.

The most important ones are those related to the 200 kilometre-long New Orbital Highway and Truck Route starting from New Hamad Port on the country's southern side to Ras Laffan Industrial City.

The road bypasses city areas and are mostly through the desert areas. The Contract 1 of the project between Hamad Port to Orbital Highway alone is tendered for QR3.2 bn. A 41 km road is being built as part of the project and it connects Hamad Port and Al Wakra bypass with other works being constructed as part of the project.

It also includes the construction of a road linking Mesaieed Road to the East West Corridor. The work began in the first quarter of 2014.

Contract 2 of the project, which started in the second quarter of 2014 is between Salwa Road and North Relief Road. This is approximately 54 kilometres and includes 8 two-level inter-changes. It is worth QR4.271bn.

The third and fourth contracts worth QR6.089bn and QR 3.481bn respectively were also started in the second quarter of 2014. While the third contract is for the works between Mesaieed and Salwa, the fourth is between Dukhan Highway and Al Khor Link Road.

In the third contract there are three major junctions while the fourth has five.

The road, when completed, is expected to provide an alternative route with faster journey times without touching residential areas while travelling between Al Khor and New Hamad Port.

It is expected to manage up to no less than 1500 heavy goods vehicles per hour in each direction. It can also cater for general traffic volumes at approximately 8000 vehicles per hour in each direction.

© Gulf Times 2016