Ashghal Opens New Interchange on Salwa Road by Mebaireek

New Interchange on Salwa Road

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) announced the opening of a new interchange on Salwa Road by Mebaireek Area, implemented by the Highway Projects Department, aiming to enhance traffic movement on Salwa Road for commuters heading for Mebaireek, Bu Nakhla, Al Sailiya, and Al Mearad.

Ashghal built a new two-level interchange located between Al Sailiya Interchange and Mesaieed Interchange, connecting Salwa Road and Mebaireek Street. The junction consists of two main bridges, 330 meters long, in addition to several exit points, loops bridges, and local roads connected to the new interchange, facilitating traffic movement in all directions.

The works of the new interchange include the construction of bypass roads and local roads with a total length of approx. 3km, in addition to the construction of 3km of pedestrian and cycling paths, whereas the area of landscape on both sides of the interchange is around 41,000 sqm.

The new junction will contribute to improving traffic flow in the area, reducing travel time by 50 percent as it provides free traffic flow to Al Sailiya from Mebaireek, the interchange also provides an alternative option to the nearby Al Sailiya Interchange thereby reducing traffic congestion, as the new interchange can accommodate more than 8500 vehicles per hour.

The construction of the new interchange aims to provide a direct and free link for Salwa Road commuters towards Mebaireek and Al Sailiya areas by providing service roads in both directions of Salwa Road, for road users heading coming from Doha towards Mebaireek and Al Sailiya areas, or for those heading from Mebaireek and Al Sailiya towards external areas in south and west of Qatar such as Abu Nakhlah, Mukaynis, and Al Karaana.

Ashghal had upgraded and expanded of Khalid Bin Ahmed Interchange, converting the roundabout into a signal-controlled interchange and opening it to traffic in November 2022 to connect Salwa Road, Salwa Road Al Furousiya Street, and to connect East Industrial Street, therefore enhancing traffic flow which accommodates 8500 vehicles per hour instead of 5000 vehicles per hour, cutting travel time to about 80 percent.

The signal-controlled interchange, after its upgrade, consists of six lanes with many entry-exit points to 2.8km long connection roads, in addition to tree plantation over an approximated area of 10,000 square meters as part of landscape works.

The new signal-controlled interchange contributes to regulating traffic movement and provides more traffic safety instead of the old roundabout, with necessary expansion, which facilitated the connection of traffic between Salwa Road, Al Furousiya Street, and East Industrial Street, and serves the residents of surrounding areas.

The importance of Khalid Bin Ahmed Interchange lies in its location at the entrance to Doha, Industrial Area, malls, and many residential areas with large population density such as Ain Khaled, New Fereej Al Ghanim, Fereej Al Murrah, Fereej Al Manaseer and Muaither.

On this occasion, Yousef Al Emadi, Projects Affairs Director at Ashghal said that the development and construction of two vital interchanges in Doha Western Entrance on Salwa Road has been completed, which will certainly contribute to the enhancement of traffic movement. The construction of the two interchanges on Salwa Road will enhance the flow of traffic between Doha and Al Rayyan Municipality on one hand and the external areas on the other, providing an alternative option for the Al Sailiya interchange.

Al Emadi noted that the infrastructure projects are ongoing and extensive emphasizing the States keenness to continue its sustainable development in all fields.

Eng. Bader Darwish, Highway Projects Department Manager, said Ashghal is concerned with providing highways serving residential areas to enhance traffic movement of residents and prevent traffic congestion, noting that the junction by Mebaireek will reduce travel time to 50 percent. Similarly, the conversion of the vital Khalid bin Ahmad Roundabout to a Signal-controlled Interchange and expansion will reduce travel time to various destinations by about 80 percent.

On his part, Project Engineer Noah Al Joof stated that reliance on local materials and national factories in the project's work is approx 80 percent where lighting poles and directional signs, drainage pipes, rainwater drainage pipes, premade manholes, concrete, and steel were supplied.

He added that the main features of the project include the provision of distinctive building methods such as the use of precast steel beams to reduce the closure of the underpass in Al Furousiya and Salwa Interchange.

As for Mebaireek Bridge, the implementation was planned to be on several stages to avoid traffic closure for Salwa Road users.

On his part, Project Engineer Eng. Nasser Dalmouk confirmed that the construction of Khalid Bin Ahmed and Mebaireek Interchanges will contribute significantly to enhancing traveler and cargo traffic as connect between the Abu Samra border point in the southwest and Hamad port.

He added that the implementation of pedestrian and cycling paths will encourage residents of the area to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, the implementation of various local roads at both ends of the interchange will contribute to reducing traffic congestion and achieving the required traffic safety.

(QNA)