As road construction in West Bay continues at a frantic pace, residents officially bid adieu today to Arch (Rainbow) Roundabout.

Demolition work on the iconic structure that is the junction’s namesake began this afternoon, to make way for the Lusail Expressway – though it will be some two years before that highway is completed and ready to be used.

Diversions set up around the R/B came into force last month, and commuters will continue to use them until the second half of 2015, when a 3-level junction is supposed to take the Arch’s place.

Not all structures inside roundabouts have suffered the same fate as Rainbow. The well-know Oryx at Ludaihy R/B was “safely removed” and handed over to the Municipality, an Ashghal spokeswoman said in August. Work to convert that roundabout to a signaled intersection is expected to be completed by Friday.

Thoughts?