By Ramesh Mathew
Staff Reporter

About 40 multi-level interchanges are to be constructed within the next four years in Qatar’s western region as part of the major road projects, a senior official from Ashghal announced yesterday.
“These interchanges are spread over eight different Expressway projects, currently under different stages of execution,” Nasser al-Kuwari, head of Engineering Information Programme (Rayyan), explained.
Addressing a community meeting at Al Rayyan Municipality, al-Kuwari stated that the interchanges would be part of the Orbital Truck route (Phase 1 and 2), Dukhan Highway Central, Dukhan Highway East, Al Rayyan road on the western side of the New Rayyan town and lying east of Bani Hajer, Rayyan road on the western side of the Olympic roundabout, Rawdat al Khail street and Al Jemailiya-Al Atouriya-Al Shahaniya road.
The approximately 15-km Dukhan Highway Central dual carriageway, expected to be completed in 2017, has three multi-level interchanges. The road will significantly improve traffic between Dukhan and central Doha with the building of the east-west highway, besides separating the highway traffic from the local traffic in the areas through which it passes.
Already a 9km, 4km stretch between Al Rayyan roundabout and Al Shahaniya roundabout has been opened for traffic. An underpass near Al Dehailiyat army camp, and two other underpasses for camel crossing at Rayyan roundabout and Shahaniya roundabout are also opened for traffic. Last month another 1.5 km stretch on the highway was also commissioned.
The four-lane on either side-6.5 km Dukhan Highway East, expected to be ready in 2018, features six multi-level interchanges. One of the major attractions of the highway is a 90m long pedestrian plaza which will come up between the Slope and North interchanges.
The 2.9km-long Al Rayyan Road to the  East of Bani Hajer roundabout highway involves three multi-level interchanges. The construction is expected to be completed by the middle of 2017.
The 5.5km-long west of Olympic roundabout to the west of New Rayyan road project will have six major interchanges. The signalised junctions along the route will give access to some of the other key roads and ensure connections with the February 22 Street.
The two phases of the 103-km long, seven-lane in either direction Orbital Truck route and highway from the southern region to the northern side will eliminate truck traffic from the city areas will pass over Salwa road, Dukhan road, and North road and the North Relief road, it is learnt. Altogether the ambitious project will feature 13 multi-level interchanges.
The approximately 8km-long Rawdat al-Khail (Doha-Industrial Area road) street will feature three-lanes on either side for traffic, besides six multi-level inter-changes. The project, which will be fully operational in 2017, will also link F-Ring road with the Wholesale Market road and Mesaimeer street.
There will be four multi-level interchanges on the 29km-long Al Jemailiya-Al Otouriya-Al Shahaniya road, the work of which will be completed by the middle of next year.
The project will feature pedestrian paths, cycle ways, pedestrian bridges and ensure easy  access to bus stops. Camel underpasses will also be built as part of the project. Page 10