Ashghal Project Manager (Expressway programme) Nasser al-Kuwari, who briefed a team of journalists at the project site near the Mall of Qatar said almost 95% of the ambitious project is now complete.
The project, one of the key features of Ashghal’s Expressway Programme, provides a15 -km strategic link from the west of Doha to Al Sheehaniya municipal town and other growing residential areas.
One of the notable features of the project is the more than 1.5 km- long tunnel which is expected to ensure safer and faster exit to Doha-bound vehicles from the sprawling Mall of Qatar, the first phase of which will be opened shortly.
The tunnel running underneath the Al Jahaniya Interchange will enable local and recreational road users to proceed easily towards Doha.
The project also consists of a 2.2 km extension of Al Rufaa Street and other flyovers and link roads.
All these developments will be opened to traffic on Friday.
While briefing the visitors, al-Kuwari said the tunnel comprised among others 34 structural units, with several advanced mechanical and electrical equipment. It has a central control room to monitor the operation of the roadway on a round the clock basis.
Along with the tunnel, parallel internal corridors to provide an emergency passage for pedestrians, and powerful ventilation systems too have been installed to ensure sufficient air levels round the clock, said the Ashghal official.
The work on the tunnel began in the middle of 2014 with the excavation of land, which eventually saw the removal of over 450,000 cubic metres of materials.
Approximately 125,000 cubic metres of concrete and nearly 10,000 tonnes of asphalt were used to complete the stretch.
The extension of Al Rufaa Street will give direct access points for road users to and from the North Road to Doha, providing two lanes in each direction and enhancing mobility to key public venues, including the Al Rufaa Celebration Hall Complex.
A joint venture of Consolidated Contractors Group and Teyseer was in charge of the project, the total cost of which exceeds QR2 bn, inquiries found.
WS Atkins & Partners Overseas is serving as the consultant.
A view of Dukhan Highway from Jehaniya Inter-change. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam
One of the major road projects undertaken ever in Qatar, the Dukhan Highway Central, is nearing completion and getting ready for commissioning.
