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Marking a major milestone in the execution of the Salwa Road project and providing great relief to thousands of motorists, Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced the partial opening of all the underpasses from Al Asiri flyover towards Industrial Area, from tomorrow.
In the opposite direction, two out of four lanes will be open to traffic from March 29, allowing vehicles travelling to and from Industrial Area and Faleh Bin Nasser interchanges to bypass all traffic signals.
The two lanes will match the number of operational lanes at the beginning and the end of the underpasses to ensure a smooth traffic flow. Diverting traffic to the underpasses comes in preparation for starting works on the main road and service roads along the side of the underpass, without affecting traffic movement.
“The partial opening of all underpasses on Salwa Road is a testament to the steady progress being made on one of the most strategic projects in Qatar, that will allow shorter routes, better connectivity and, most importantly, more convenience to commuters,” an Ashghal spokesman said yesterday.
The project will deliver approximately 7km of dual carriageway road along the alignment of the existing road. The mainline will feature eight lanes, four lanes in each direction separated by a median with continuous service roads, as well as four two-level interchanges.
Providing a strategic corridor between Doha and the Saudi Arabian border, the Salwa Road project is an integral part of Ashghal’s Expressway programme, which fulfils the country’s needs for an advanced roads network, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Ashghal’s Expressway Programme will improve the way people and places are connected across Qatar. It will deliver more than 30 major road projects across Qatar including new and upgraded freeways, expressways and arterial roads, a new orbital highway and truck route as well as substantial upgrades to existing roads.
Ashghal has appointed KBR as the programme manager and engineer to manage and deliver a national roads network capable of sustaining the future development and expansion of Qatar’s economic stronghold in the region.
Ashghal had assessed in August 2012 that the Salwa Road expansion works had reached 70% completion and predicted a mid-2013 completion.
The project’s pace quickened over the past months, during winter. Traffic signals become operational weeks ago at the four intersections - Ain Khaled, Al Azizia, Central Market and Qatar Decoration (Al Bustan).
The project also covers laying of huge sewer lines, new asphalt pavements, installation of street lights, traffic signs and building infrastructure for an integrated transport system, among others.
Operators of businesses and residents of the area are eagerly awaiting the completion of the project, work on which began in July 2010.
The Salwa Road expansion project had been awarded by Ashghal to a joint-venture of Yuksel-Midmac in June 2010. Work began next month from the Ain Khalid side, following which the roundabout was enlarged and reconnected to the mainline on January 1, 2011.
The highway, which goes all the way to Abu Samra where Qatar’s only land border with another country - Saudi Arabia – is located, is being expanded to four lanes on each side.
The project utilises an integrated traffic system with cameras installed at various construction points for monitoring. When work on the Salwa Road is complete, it will offer non-stop traffic flow and road access towards Abu Samra.
The Salwa Road starts from the Jaidah Bridge. Once past the Industrial Area Interchange, the road becomes the 81km-long Salwa International Highway and leads to Saudi Arabia.