As construction on Al Shamal Road ramps up, Ashghal has announced plans to close a part of the road, as well as a side road near the Umm Slal Mohammed area. The latter closure took effect today, and will last through the first quarter of 2015. Commuters have been advised to use the Al Kheesa interchange instead.

On Sunday, Ashghal plans to open a three-lane diversion on Al Shamal Road to help ease traffic related to the construction.

That detour will be in place until the end of 2015, the public works authority said, adding:

“On completion, Al Shamal Road will be a modern road of about 95.2 km that connects the northern parts of the country.”

‘Modern road’

To get to that point, Ashghal has been working on the North Road Enhancement Expressway Program, which entails the construction of service roads along Al Shamal from the northern part of Doha at Al Duhail Interchange, to the town of Al Shamal.

The overall project was originally slated for completion at the end of next year, but appears to be behind schedule. Here’s what it will entail, according to Ashghal:

Two new interchanges will be constructed and seven existing interchanges, including Al Kaaban Interchange which connects to the Al Huwailah Link Road, will be improved to increase accessibility and traffic flow. Al Khor Road will also be improved with a link road provided between North Road and Umm Birkah Road.

A cycle path will be constructed along the length of the North Road for the cycling enthusiast and families alike.

Thoughts?