Starting today, the busy Al Gharafa Roundabout (north of Slope Roundabout) will be closed and a new diversion and signal set up to keep traffic flowing, Qatar’s Public Works Authority has announced.

The closure is to build an underpass as part of the Dukhan Road East Project and will last 18 months.

According to the map, those traveling north toward the Expressway will not see much of a difference. They will simply be diverted onto a new intersection at Al Gharafa St. and Thani bin Jassim St.

However, commuters heading south toward the roundabout will be now have a longer route. They will be diverted onto Al Hazm St., make a circuit around Al Gharafa Family Park, and take Yazeed Bin Talha St. before getting back on Gharafa St.

Ashghal said that the speed limit will also be lowered in the area to 50 km/hour for safety reasons.

Al Shamal Road

Also today, four southbound lanes on Al Shamal Road will be closed for 1.3km as part of ongoing construction work in the area, starting shortly after the Al Khor exit number 35.

Traffic will be diverted onto four lanes of an adjacent road and the speed limit will drop from 120 km/hour to 80 km/hour along this stretch.

The closure will be in effect through next year as construction of a bridge at the intersection between Al Shamal Road and the new Orbital Highway continues.

Thoughts?