With works progressing in full swing, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has completed more than 70% of the prestigious Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.
Marking a giant leap towards the completion, Ashghal recently opened two bridges at Umm Lekhba Interchange, a vital part of the corridor.
Al Watiyatt Interchange, as well as Al Rayyan Tunnel, which is considered the longest, deepest bi-directional bridge in Qatar, were completed last year.


Computer generated image of the bridge at Al Luqta

Ashghal is also working round-the-clock on the cable-stayed bridge and the conversion of Haloul Roundabout into a two-level interchange as part of the corridor.
The works of the corridor commenced on February 24, 2019 in appreciation of Kuwait Amir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah in order to make the brotherly relationship between the two countries stronger.
This is the first project in Qatar to be termed a corridor instead of road due to its great importance and specifications of unique construction.
The 820m long first flyover bridge, opened in October 2019 at Umm Lekhba Interchange provides free traffic flow from Al Gharrafa towards Doha and a parallel route to 22 February Street. The new flyover bridge 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), reducing travel time.
The bridge accommodates 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 current construction works in the area.
The second bridge with a length of 537m directly connects Al Markhiya with Doha and improves traffic in the area by providing free flow from Al Markhiya towards Doha. It accommodates around 4,000 vehicles per hour.
With four levels and nine bridges, the 11km long Umm Lekhba interchange is the largest of its kind and second highest in Qatar. Once completed in the last quarter of 2020, the interchange will function as the northern gate of Doha due to its strategic location, at an important spot where Al Shamal Road intersects with the Doha Expressway, Al Markhiya Street and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.
The interchange will ease the traffic congestion on Doha Expressway especially at the Al Gharrafa interchange known as Immigration and Al Duhail intersections. It will also ensure smooth traffic flow for those coming from Doha Corniche, Markhiya, Madinat Khalifa and Duhail in the direction of Al Shamal Road, Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, Al Gharrafa and Gharrafat Al Rayyan areas to Al Luqta and Al Rayyan.
Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor extends for approximately 25km from Hamad International Airport to Umm Lekhba Interchange on Doha Expressway. Works as part of the corridor include upgrading E Ring, F Ring, Mesaimeer, Al Bustan, Bu Erayyen and Lebday roads 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 approximately 37km.
Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor has the longest bridge, deepest and longest bi-directional tunnel. With a length of 1,200m, the cable-stayed bridge on the corridor extends from Mesaimeer Road to Al Bustan Street and crosses over Halul Intersection on Mesaimeer Road and Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection on Salwa Road. The works will be completed in 2021.
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