After weeks of pain for commuters, traffic congestion at Ramada Signal is expected to ease after this week, with Ashghal saying it would wrap up work there by Nov. 10.
Major construction has been taking place on C-Ring from New Salata intersection (near the former Al Andalus petrol station) to Kinana intersection (just before La Cigale Hotel), since phase four of the C-Ring project commenced in August.
Work on that particularly congested area was not slated until next year, but was moved up due to conflicting construction on another part of C-Ring.
The overhaul has caused lane closures on that stretch of the road, and heavy traffic snarls.
While closures from Ramada to La Cigale Hotel will be lifted in 10 days time, other work will continue until the end of the year, Ashghal said in a statement.
That appears to be earlier than the mid-January 2015 timeline originally set.
The remaining work includes construction from the Centre Roundabout to just before Al Asiri intersection.
Ashghal also said it has begun work on Salwa Road this week as part of an overhaul of that area.
When phase four is completed, all four intersections will be equipped with new signals that include pedestrian crossings, an additional road lane and the repaving of the existing three lanes.
Although Ashghal has continued to keep two lanes of traffic open during construction, businesses located at the affected phase four areas have said construction barriers, fewer parking spaced and narrower walkways have prevented customers from entering their shops.
Commuters have also expressed annoyance at frequent congestion along the vital road due to fewer lanes being open, with some turning to Twitter:
@djahsananjum @dohanews @MOI_Qatar I am stuck on C Ring road (don't pass between Muntaza signal to Al Sadd signal is terrible traffic…
— al padilla (@al_padilla06) October 26, 2014
@dohanews What is happening on C-ring and old airport road!? How do you cross the city??
— Roisin (@RingsendRosie) September 12, 2014
Ashghal has said that works are taking place around the clock, with the same number of workers working during the day and night in order to see a swift completion.
C-Ring project
The C-Ring Road project began in May with phase one and is expected to be completed by mid-2015.
Phase one, which took place near the old airport, was completed on schedule in September and saw the introduction of a signalized intersection at Umm Ghuwailina (VIP) Roundabout and an additional fourth lane in each direction.
Additionally, the stretch from Toyota and Gulf Cinema signals now have an extra fourth lane in each direction.
Once all four phases are complete, the following advancements will be made:
• Widening the road from three to four lanes;
• Establishing pedestrian crossings at all four intersections under construction;
• Installing three U-turn lanes with pedestrian crossings in the 6.3km stretch (not specified where);
• Construction of permanent roads with new traffic signals and street lighting; and
• Upgrading irrigation pipes in the area.
Ashghal has not specified the cost of the project, which is being implemented by Qatari contracting company Bin Omran Trading and Contracting.
But last year, the Public Works Authority floated a $1.8 million tender to renovate C Ring.
Thoughts?
Weren’t they supposed to build flyovers at one point? Do we know if those plans have changed?
I believe they’ve shelved the plan … For now at least
is there any rail going to pass through c-ring?
Did they connect up the drains?
a massive improvement would be re-routing access to the backside of Jarir, al nasser, et al, figure that out, and you’ve solved half the problem…which is knowing where half the traffic is going!
Is it me or is ashgal improving ? They are turning around projects at a much faster pace… Toyota intersection runs smoothly and in two weeks time I hope ramada does as well..
Contractors on Ashghal projects tend to get paid in a more timely fashion vs other projects, so there is less idle time while companies are waiting to get paid. That plus the consequences of not meeting timelines (even when not realistic) are more severe so companies try to hit their targets one way or another
Plus the knowledge available now in the local market is much more, ramada roundabout to a signal took like half a year, now they can do these things in stages without too much disuption
true.. i remember that
Definitely agree; I’m surprised myself that this part of C ring finished so soon. But don’t expect ramada signal to run smoothly just yet… if you look closely, the article mentioned that they’re starting to fix the old salwa road as well now, which means another half year of misery, pollution, congestion, honking, middle fingers, flashing, and crashing.
I certainly agree. 10 years ago they were awful and many allegations of corruption, these days a much improved service. Somebody somewhere is doing something right!
The problem I had/ have with C ring road (between la cigale and ramada signal) wasnt that there wernt enough lanes, it was the fact that there is a traffic ligh ever 200 meters. which is crazy for a main road. lets hope this fixes it! (but I get the impression this is only a temp solution for a long term problem)
Only $1.8 million ? That can’t be right.
Hope they’re talking about November 10, ‘2014’