With the re-opening of Onaiza (Qatar Sports Club) junction yesterday, Ashghal successfully met its Nov. 15 deadline to convert eight roundabouts in and around the Corniche into signaled intersections.

Residents have expressed relief at the completion of the project and are hopeful for easier commutes to West Bay. But more key construction works lie ahead.

On Nov. 6, Ashghal put out a $1.8 million (QR6.5 million) tender for the improvement of C-Ring Road, including the installation of an intelligent transportation system, presumably akin to the synchronized signals that were recently put up on the Corniche.

According to the bid details:

“The works comprise of conversion of various existing roundabouts/junctions into signalized junctions, widening of C-Ring Road include the inspection of existing traffic signals equipment, liaison with the Utility Departments and Authorities, replacement of old traffic signals equipment, provision, installation, testing, commissioning and maintenance of traffic signal equipment.

The Works shall be carried out on a work schedule of 24 (twenty four) hours/day.”

The tender closes next month. Ashghal has not responded to requests for comment about more details or when the project will launch.

But a May 2013 report in the Gulf Times states that construction companies have been waiting to bid on a project that involves building seven flyovers on C-Ring to ease traffic jams there.

And in July, a senior Ashghal official told Private Sector Qatar that C-Ring was going to be expanded from Abdullah Abdul Ghani (Toyota) traffic signal near the airport to Hamad Hospital.

The move would be part one of some 200 infrastructure projects that the Public Works Authority will embark upon in the next seven years, Yousef Abdul Rahman Al-Emadi, Ashghal’s director of Road Operations and Maintenance, said.

Thoughts?