The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) Saturday opened the first flyover at the Umm Lekhba (Landmark) Interchange as part of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project.
The 820m-long flyover provides free-flowing traffic from Al Gharrafa towards Doha and a parallel route to 22 February Street.
The new flyover connects traffic from the new Al Hateem Street to Al Gharrafa in the direction of Doha with 22 February Street and Al Gharrafa Interchange (Passport Interchange) which will reduce travel time.
The flyover will improve traffic in the area, Ashghal has stressed in a statement. It will accommodate around 1,500 vehicles per hour to serve those coming from Izghawa and Al Gharrafa areas towards Doha without the need to use Al Shamal Road and avoid the ongoing construction works in the area.
With four levels and nine bridges, the 11km-long Umm Lekhba Interchange is the largest of its kind and second highest in Qatar. Once it’s completed, the interchange will function as the northern gate of Doha due to its strategic location. It’s located in an important spot where Al Shamal Road intersects with the Doha Expressway, Al Markhiya Street and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.
The interchange will ease traffic congestion on Doha Expressway, especially at the Al Gharrafa interchange known as the Immigration and Al Duhail intersections.
Besides, it assumes importance as the interchange is located in a densely populated area with vibrant commercial activities, a number of government entities and educational and health facilities as well as complexes and commercial markets. The interchange includes an intelligent transportation system with surveillance cameras, vehicle number monitors, vehicle classification and an emergency traffic system. This system will provide important facilities and boost traffic control.