By Joey Aguilar/Staff Parking

A large number of visitors to Souq Waqif on Friday utilised the newly-opened underground parking, significantly easing the traffic and parking woes in the area.
At 3.20pm, Basement One was already full and incoming vehicles were directed to Basement Two of both zones one and two. At 5.30pm, all the three basements were almost full. The two zones have at least 1,500 slots.
Zone 3 is yet to be opened. Workers are engaged in finishing touches on elevators, cables, window frames and tiles. Gulf Times had reported earlier, quoting some construction officials that the underground parking has a total of 2,000 slots. The entrances and exits also provided easy access going to the Corniche or Abdullah Bin Jassim Street.
“Terrible traffic and parking problems seem to be over. Earlier, we had to wait for more than 30 minutes or even an hour to find a slot,” said Rudolf Benson, who was with his family to watch the annual Spring Festival which began Friday at Souq Waqif.
He lauded the project saying the opening was timely since many residents now prefer to spend their weekends at Souq Waqif especially because of the good weather.
Benson noted that underground parking provides a huge relief to regular Souq visitors like him. He used to park at Souq’s south parking area (which was closed Friday) or somewhere near the Filipino Souq.
While signs are well placed along the aisles, dozens of staff deployed in three levels also helped in providing directions to motorists.
“With QR3 for the first hour and QR1 for every hour thereafter, the parking fee is reasonable enough,” said Benson.
The park above the underground parking attracted a large number of families on Friday. A few fitness facilities similar to those on the Corniche are expected to draw more residents especially those who love to exercise outdoors. A small amphitheatre has been built in the centre of the park.
Some visitors were seen flying the kites given free by Souq Waqif staff as part of the Spring Festival celebration.
“It was refreshing to see the Corniche, the Fanar and the Emiri Diwan while at the park,” said Regina Cabiles, who regularly frequents parks at the Museum of Islamic Art and Aspire Zone.