HE the Minister of Transport and Communications, Jassim bin Saif al-Sulaiti, HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment, Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi attended the opening ceremony along with Dr Saad bin Ahmad al-Muhannadi, president Ashghal, Abdulla Hamad al-Attiyah, assistant president, Ashghal and a large number of dignitaries.
The opening ceremony was followed by a parade of classic cars and motorcycles passing through the new road. The road also consists of 48 km of pedestrians and cyclists lanes, surrounded by landscaping.
The 22 kilometres long road with five lanes on each direction has eight main interchanges connecting the road to various locations in around the area and providing easy access to the Orbital Highway. All the interchanges are expected to be completed and opened by the end of July this year.
The interchanges comprise of 29 bridges and 18 underpasses, as well as loops to distribute the traffic movement.The eight interchanges are Al Bahya Interschange, Bu Sella Interchange, Abal Slel Interchange, Al Hafeen Interchange, Jary Mosbeh Interchange, Umm Beshr Interchange, Al Thumama Interchange (50) and Airport Interchange (49).
Speaking to Gulf Times, al-Muhannadi said, “This is a very important road as it cuts down the traffic time to Industrial area by at least 50%. It will also relieve the heavy traffic on the Salwa Road. This road provides easy and convenient access for the residents of the area to different parts of the country.”
Classic car parade at the opening ceremony ( supplied picture)
He also explained that the G-Ring Road is an important axis that provides additional transportation options, and is connected with a number of expressways such as the Orbital Highway and Al Wakra Bypass. The G-Ring Road is connected with the opened part of the Orbital Highway, creating a fast, non-stop road with a length of more than 50 km from Hamad International Airport to Dukhan Road via Salwa Road. This will shorten the travel time between Hamad International Airport, Al Wajba, Rayyan, Bani Hajer and Dukhan.
According to Ashghal, the G-Ring Road also provides three new vital entrances to the Industrial Area from the South, providing a direct link with Hamad International Airport. It also connects with Hamad Port, Mesaieed, Bu Samra Border, and the Northern areas through its connection with the Orbital Highway, and provides a direct access with the Logistic Village to and from Hamad International Airport.
Some of the dignitaries at one of the interchanges of the G Ring Road
The new road is one of the key axes of Qatar's expressway network. With an uninterrupted traffic flow, it will have a significant positive impact on the traffic movement in the country’s southern areas. It will also contribute to reducing pressure on existing roads in other areas; thus complementing the other axes of the expressway network, of which several parts will be opened to traffic throughout the coming months.
