Minister praises Ashghal for completing projects on time
Published: 23 Apr 2017 - 10:08 am | Last Updated: 28 Dec 2021 - 11:39 am
The newly opened road. Pic: Kammutty VP / The Peninsula
An important part of Qatar's expressway network—the G-Ring Road extending over 22km from Hamad International Airport (HIA) to the Orbital Highway with five lanes in each direction and 48km lanes for pedestrians and cyclists — was opened yesterday.
The G-Ring Road provides additional transportation options and connects to the Orbital Highway creating a 50 km direct road from Hamad International Airport to Dukhan Road via Salwa Road. The new “Umm Beshr Interchange”, one of the project’s eight interchanges includes the highest bridge in Qatar, which is 36 metres high.
The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Transport and Communications, H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, and Minister of Municipality and Environment, H E Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, in the presence of Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), as well as a number of senior officials from the ministries, Ashghal, the General Directorate of Traffic in the MOI.
Al Rumaihi said that Qatar was planning new roads considering urban growth, increase in population and growing trade. He said that G-Ring Road will help absorbing the traffic burden of new developing surrounding areas and was enough to serve increased number of vehicles over the next thirty years. He said that new roads were bringing the country closer as they were making distances short.
Al Rumaihi praised Ashghal for completing projects in stipulated time saying: "Ashghal was committed to deliver the project in time." He said that G-Ring Road was passing through 14 important areas of the country.
Dr Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi said that the G-Ring Road, which was opened today including all of its lanes and parts of its eight main interchanges, will ease pressure on Doha's main roads and shorten travel times to most of the destinations it serves.
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, in addition to Hamad Port, Bu Samra Border, and the rest of the country via the Orbital Highway.
It also serves a large number of neighbourhoods and residential and commercial complexes in Al Wakra, Al Wukair, Al Thumama and other areas, especially with the opening of Al Wakra Bypass during the current year. The G-Ring Road is linked to Al Wakra Bypass at the new “Umm Beshr Interchange”, which is a four-level interchange that includes the highest bridge in Qatar, about 36 metres high. The road also includes 48 km of pedestrian and cyclist paths.
The total cost of the G-Ring Road project is approximately 4 billion Qatari Riyals. The remaining works, which comprise parts of the eight interchanges of the project, are scheduled to be completed by the end of July 2017.
The ministers and attendees were briefed through a presentation on the G-Ring Road project. The ministers gave the sign to open the road, which was followed by a parade for classic cars and motorcycles passing the road, which participated in the opening through Mawater Centre and Qatar Center for Motorcycles “Batabit” in coordination with the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
The G-Ring Road includes eight main interchanges, which comprise 29 bridges and 18 underpasses, as well as loops to distribute the traffic movement, and they are as follows:
1. Al Bahya Interchange: A two-level interchange, with the East Industrial Road topped by the bridge of the New Industrial Area Road; linking the New Industrial Area with the Logistic Village. It provides an additional option to reach the Industrial Area and the Logistic Village instead of the currently available option from Salwa Road.
2. Bu Sella Interchange: A two-level interchange that comprises the East Industrial Road and the bridge of the West Industrial Road. It connects between the New Industrial Area and the Logistic Village, and provides an additional option to reach the Industrial Area and the Logistic Village.
3. Abal Slel Interchange: A two-level interchange, with the East Industrial Road topped by the bridge of the East Industrial Street. It will enhance connection between the Orbital Highway and the Industrial Area, connecting it with Hamad International Airport, Hamad Port, and Bu Samra Border.
4. Al Hafeen Interchange: A two-level interchange, with the East Industrial Road topped by the bridge of Al Aziziya Street Extension.
5. Jary Mosbeh Interchange: A two-level interchange that will enhance connection of Al Wakra and Al Wukair with the Northern areas.
6. Umm Beshr Interchange: A four-level interchange that includes bridges, underpasses, and loops to distribute the traffic movement. It enhances connection of Al Wakra and Al Wukair with Al Thumama and the Northern areas. It also provides alternative roads to reach Hamad International Airport without passing through Al Wakra Main Road, via a future road parallel to Al Wakra Road.
7. Al Thumama Interchange: A two-level interchange that enhances connection between Al Wakra, Al Wukair, the F-Ring Road Road, Al Thumama, and the Old Airport.
8. Airport Interchange: A two-level interchange that enhances connection of Al Wakra and Al Wukair with Hamad International Airport, the F-Ring Road Road, and Airport Street to the E-Ring Road and the Northern areas.
