*A 48-hour partial closure of Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection on Salwa Road from tonight
*An 8-month partial closure of Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection on Salwa Road from April 21
*Qatar’s first cable-stayed bridge to be ready in the first quarter of 2021
* Haloul Intersection to be ready in 2020

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has started the construction of Qatar’s first Cable-Stayed Bridge and the conversion of Haloul Roundabout into a two-level interchange as part of Sabah Al-Ahmad Corridor project.

The 1,200m long bridge will extend prior to Haloul Roundabout through Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection on Salwa Road to provide free traffic flow between Hamad International Airport and the areas of Bu Hamour, Mesaimeer and Al Waab.

With four lanes in each direction, the bridge will accommodate more than 16,000 vehicles a hour. In a statement on Wednesday, Ashghal's engineer Abdullah al-Naiemi said construction of the bridge will be completed in the first quarter of 2021 while the Haloul Intersection will be ready in 2020.

“The bridge that is to pass over Haloul intersection as well as Faleh Bin Nasser intersection on Salwa Road will ease the congestion in the vital area significantly,” he explained.

As per the plan, Haloul Roundabout will be revamped into a two-level interchange, including an 'at-grade' signallised intersection along with the free-flow cable-stayed bridge.

Once complete, the signallised intersection will consist of six lanes in each direction including two right turns to the left and one for U-turn. The intersection will help the traffic in all directions to connect Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor to Haloul Street and Salwa Road. The bridge will serve Bu Hamour and Al Mamoura and bring a boost to the Wholesale Market and commercial places on Salwa Road.

The Ashghal engineer said the bridge will be without pylons for a distance of 150m, but cables instead for support. Considering the length of the bridge, the construction will require 854 precast reinforced concrete pieces, each weighing 200 tonnes, and 20 pylons and 16 piers to reach the highest point of 30m.


Map of eight-month partial closure of Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection at-grade on Salwa Road

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor extends for about 25km from Hamad International Airport to Umm Lekhba Interchange (known as Landmark Interchange) on Doha Expressway. Parts of the Corridor, such as Al Watiyatt Interchange as well as Al Rayyan Tunnel, which is Qatar's longest and deepest, are already complete.

The Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project was launched on February 24 this year by HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani and Sheikh Nasser al-Mohamed al-Ahmad al-Sabah, representative of Kuwait Amir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.

The first Corridor in Qatar, scheduled for completion in 2021, will provide access to more than 25 residential areas and facilitate access to five 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums.

Partial Closures

Ashghal has announced partial closure of Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection on Salwa Road from tonight for 48 hours to allow construction works on Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor. Traffic movement through Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor are allowed while right turns are open. Road users heading and coming from Doha have been can take right turn at Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection, make a U-turn at around 250m and then turn right to get back on Salwa Road. Road users coming from Mesaimeer Road towards Bu Samra and from Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor towards Doha have been told to continue straight through Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection for 250m and then turn right to get back on Salwa Road.

Ashghal has also announced partial closure of Faleh Bin Nasser Interchange 'at-grade' for traffic on Salwa Road from April 21 morning for eight months in order to allow construction works of the bridge on Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.


Map of 48 hour partial closure

During the closure period designed in co-ordination with the General Directorate of traffic, road users have been requested to make use of alternative routes as shown in the map. Traffic on Salwa Road heading and coming from Doha can take right turn at Faleh bin Nasser Interchange, take U-turn at around 250m and then turn right to get back on Salwa Road.

Ashghal will install road signs advising motorists of the traffic change. Road users should abide by the speed limit and follow the road signs to ensure safety.

Overview of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor's scope includes the upgrade of seven main roads namely, E Ring, F Ring, Mesaimeer, Al Bustan, Bu Erayyen, Lebday and sections of Al Markhiya Street. In addition, Ashghal will enhance 12km of local and peripheral roads intersecting with the Corridor. The total road works of the project is about 37km.

Once completed in 2021, Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will significantly contribute to the relief of traffic congestion on Doha Expressway in particular, 22 February Street. The new Corridor will be a vital alternative and parallel route that will serve thousands of daily commuters from the north to the south of Doha. Commuters travelling from Hamad International Airport will be able to reach Umm Lekhba Intersection in about 18 minutes compared to the current 50 minutes via Doha Expressway and 22 February Street reducing traffic time by 70%.

The new Corridor will also form a vital link between the north and the south through Al Doha. This interchange will also create a vital connection between Doha Expressway and Southern Part of Doha Express Highway (Al Wakra Bypass) as well as to Mesaieed Road through Al Watiyyat Interchange at F-Ring Road, which will constitute a key point to accommodate traffic to Doha Expressway and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.

This significant improvement in traffic will be achieved by increasing the capacity of the road to 20,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, after the current expansion to four and five lanes in each direction rather than three or two in each direction. Doha Expressway currently accommodates 12,000 vehicles per hour in both direction.

The project will convert all roundabouts to more efficient and safer signallised junctions as well as build and upgrade 17 interchanges. These interchanges will deliver 32 bridges and 12 vehicular underpasses to enhance connectivity and provide smooth traffic movements.

The project’s scope of works include, 12 pedestrian and cycle paths with a length 65km along with 1.5mn sq m of landscaping.

The Corridor will be the home to the longest flyover in the country, which spans 2.6km extending from Al Bustan Street to Bu Erayyen Street and crossing over Al Waab Street and Rasheeda Street.

Largest Interchange

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will include the largest Interchange in Qatar. The impressively complex Umm Lekhba (Landmark) Interchange has nine bridges providing a free traffic flow in all directions highlighting its significance as a key access point on Doha Expressway for local residential areas and malls.

The project consists of the recently opened Al Rayyan Road, which is the longest and deepest bi-directional tunnel in Qatar. It sits 25m below ground level and extends for 2.1km connecting Bu Erayyen Street and Lebday Street.

The new Corridor is a major link facilitating connections to 15 main roads namely Al Wakra Road, Ras Bu Abboud Road, E Ring Road, F Ring Road, Industrial Road, Salwa Road, Al Rayyan Road, Al Waab Street, Al Luqta Street, Al Markhiya Street, Doha Highway and Khalifa Avenue. It will serve 25 densely populated residential areas such as Al-Thumama, Al Nuaija, Bu Hamour, Al Waab, Al Rayyan, Al Luqta, Al Gharrafa, etc.

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will facilitate access to most of the World Cup FIFA 2022 stadiums including Ras Bu Abboud, Al Thumama, Al Wakra, Khalifa International and Qatar Foundation Stadiums.

The Corridor provides easy access to some of Doha Metro stations such as the Economic Zone, Al Waab and Old Rayyan.