The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced that it has started implementing Phase 1 of a project to convert the Immigration Roundabout into an intersection and develop parts of the service roads along February 22 Road.

This comes as part of its efforts to develop the road networks and enhance traffic flow across the country, the authority has said in a statement.

Mohamed Arqoub al-Khaldi, head of Doha City Section in the Roads Projects Department of Ashghal, said the project will contribute significantly to enhancing traffic flow and improving movement between the areas surrounding the interchange in addition to facilitating access to the February 22 Road from nearby residential and commercial areas, by improving entrances and exit points to and from the road and developing service roads on both its sides.

Al-Khaldi explained that the project consists of five phases, and that Ashghal has started implementing the first phase - which will convert the Immigration Roundabout into a signal-controlled intersection in order to improve traffic movement and increase the interchange’s capacity.

This phase also includes the development of the storm-water drainage system, protection of existing utility lines for Ooredoo and the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) as well as the addition of new lighting poles at the new intersection.

In order to implement Phase 1 and starting from Friday morning (July 13), Ashghal will close the right lane of the underpass below the Immigration Roundabout in both directions while keeping the other two lanes open to traffic. This is in addition to the full closure of the underpass daily from 11pm to 5am for three months.

Road users can use the Immigration Roundabout (at ground level) as an alternative route.

The second phase of the project includes developing the service roads along February 22 Road, starting from the Immigration Interchange towards Al Rayyan Interchange, as well as improving the entrance and exit points on the road, developing the sewage system in the eastern service section of February 22 Road and developing the storm-water drainage system.

The third phase includes developing the drainage system on the road branching from the February 22 Road towards the Al Messila area (between the new health centre and English Modern School), Ashghal has said.

The fourth phase comprises the construction of additional parking bays on the west side of February 22 Road, while the fifth and final phase will see the development of the entrance and exit points on February 22 Road in the area between Al Rayyan Interchange and Rashida Interchange.

The project is being implemented through a joint venture of Urbacon Trading & Contracting and InfraRoad Trading & Contracting, and it is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2019.

Ashghal will instal road signs advising motorists of the closure. It has requested all road users to abide by the speed limit and follow the road signs to ensure their safety.