For the next six weeks, traffic will be reduced to two lanes in all directions for roads leading to Dahl Al Hammam roundabout, as the busy junction is converted into a signalized intersection.

The roundabout, which is near Landmark Mall and Markhiya (Burger King) R/A, connects Markhiya Street with Arab League Street.

It is the latest junction to be re-developed by Public Works Authority Ashghal, which is overhauling Doha’s roads to improve safety and combat traffic congestion.

In a statement, Ashghal announced that the roads in and around the R/A will be reduced from three to two, with a temporary “outer roundabout” demarcated around the original roundabout while work continues.

The lane restrictions and diversions on Markhiya Street leading from Lejbailat to Dahl Al Hammam roundabout came into effect last night.

The section of Markhiya Street leading from the roundabout to Landmark will be re-configured down to two lanes from tonight (Wednesday), June 11. And all diversions will be in effect from tomorrow (Thursday), until the end of July.

The new intersection is set to get four traffic lanes in each direction, in addition to three left-turn lanes and one lane to turn right.

The new Dahl Al Hammam junction will have three lanes in each direction on Al Markhiya Street and Arab League Street. There will also be three dedicated left-turn lanes created and a right-turn side lane at each signal.

Pedestrian crossings will also be installed at the junction, enabling easier access to the popular nearby family park.

Similar lane closures have recently been put into effect at Markhiya roundabout, with the lane closures expected to be lifted by July 20. Work in the area, however, will continue until October.

Other road developments

Last month, Ashghal also announced ambitious plans to redevelop nearby TV Roundabout, though no timetable has yet been announced regarding that construction.

The Minister for Municipality and Urban Planning, Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Khalifa Al Thani, told Qatar News Agency in May that a north-south tunnel would be constructed in the area to ease traffic flow.

TV R/A is one of the main junctions connecting West Bay with the west and south of Doha, and is regularly backed up, particularly at rush hour.

Elsewhere, traffic has been flowing relatively smoothly on the Corniche, after eight junctions in and around the area were converted into signalized intersections. However, the months of construction surrounding that project caused long traffic jams and headaches for many motorists.

Meanwhile, C-Ring road has recently come under construction as the first stage of an extensive program to increase capacity and install smart signals.

It is hoped that all the roadwork improvements will help Doha manage the increasing number of cars it sees, as around 9,000 more vehicles join the roads each month.

Thoughts?