The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) would have completed 828km of highways by the year-end, according to official figures.
The year 2020 witnessed Ashghal opening several roads, contributing much to the highway network. Most parts of Mesaimeer Interchange, including the tunnel linking the Doha Expressway and the Industrial Area were opened.
In March, Ashghal opened five new parts of Mesaimeer Interchange. This includes a 3km road linking Doha Expressway and the southern part of Doha, providing free traffic flow for those coming from Doha towards Al Wakra and Al Wukair. With the opening of a new 750m tunnel linking Doha Expressway to E-Ring Road, traffic was opened from Industrial area road towards E-Ring Road, Rawdat Al Khail Street and Doha Expressway.


Al Khufoos Street

The opening includes a new 1km tunnel towards the E-Ring Road in addition to opening the 1km bridge towards Rawdat Al Khail Street and D-Ring Road to make the bridge open in both directions.
Ashghal also achieved remarkable developments within the Al Wakra Main Road Development project. The partial opening of the intersection on the Al Wakra Tunnel was completed the iconic Pearl monument relocated near Al Farda Roundabout so as to to enable the reconstruction of the Pearl Roundabout into a signal-controlled intersection. Al Jabal Intersection was also opened after turning the old roundabout into a signalised intersection.
The Duhail Al Gharafa bridge and parts of the traffic lights under Al Shamal Bridge were opened on August 15, 2020 under the development of Duhail Intersection. Consisting of a 400m three-lane dual carriageway to accommodate about 12,000 vehicles per hour on both directions, the bridge provides free-flowing traffic between Al Khafji Street and Al Gharrafa Street and reduces travel time by 95% from West Bay, Al Markhiya, Madinat Khalifa and Duhail towards Gharrafat Al Rayyan, Al Gharrafa and Al Rayyan.
In September, Ashghal opened 3,700m long Al Khufoos Street that links Al Furousiya Street in the west and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor to the east and serves Al Murraikh, Al Mehairja and Luaib areas. Al Khufoos Street, which earlier had only one lane in each direction, was expanded with three lanes in each direction to accommodate about 10,000 vehicles per hour, reducing travel time by more than 60%.
It intersects with the vital Al Furousiya Street to connect the traffic coming from Al Rayyan and West Doha passing through Umm Al Jamajim Street, Mehairja Street and Umm Al Tin Street to Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor and Al Amir Street (Doha Expressway) to connect traffic to Al Sadd East.
Al Khufoos Street provides a direct traffic movement from Doha Expressway without the need to use the parallel Al Waab Street to reach Mehairja, Murraikh and Waab reaching directly to Al Rayyan and Muaither from the vital roads as it provides an alternative route to the parallel Al Waab Street reducing traffic congestion.
Ashghal set up a median separating the two directions of the traffic in addition to street lighting, smart message systems and road signs. Pedestrian and cycle paths on both sides of the road were completed.
Al Khufoos Street is located in an area that contains many vital facilities such as Khalifa International Stadium, Aspire Zone, Villagio Mall and the Equestrian Club as well as the many educational facilities and schools in the area. It serves the areas of Baaya, Mehairja and Murraikh. The importance of the street increased by it's connection to Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor which is of very vital importance.
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