All photos by Gazanfarulla Khan
As the first of four phases of C Ring construction gets underway, residents are getting prepared to say goodbye to one of Qatar’s last iconic junctions – VIP Roundabout, or Clock Tower R/A.
According to the yearlong C Ring overhaul plan set by Qatar’s Public Works Authority Ashghal, the first phase includes converting VIP R/A into a signalized intersection.
The road from that R/A to halfway between Toyota and Gulf Cinema signals will also be widened from three to four lanes.
Additionally, pedestrian crossings, u-turn lanes, new traffic signals and street lights are expected to be added to this swathe of road, as well as the parts of C Ring up to Ramada Signal.
The construction is being led by Qatari contracting company Bin Omran Trading and Contracting.
So far, commuters report that construction near Doha International Airport has been causing long traffic delays, due to diversions and narrowing of the road:
@dohanews Traffic, traffic and only traffic
— swati (@8ubbly8lue) May 24, 2014
https://twitter.com/iamkalu/status/470112417880350720
@dohanews from Toyota signal heading VIP r/a…should close the r/a going left to Mughalina to give way to cars from Corniche #Doha #Qatar
— Ash OM (@ash_0m) May 24, 2014
@dohanews suspecting a long wait till its normal again. But hope it's worth it.
— Mutahir (@m_mutahir) May 24, 2014
Expected completion
Previously, Ashghal pledged to complete the first phase of construction by the third quarter of this year.
More specifically, it has been telling businesses along Airport Road that it plans to finish up in that area by the end of August.
After that comes the next phase, which will affect the road from Al Mansoora (Gulf Cinema signal) to halfway past Rawdat AlKhail (Holiday Villa signal).
New Salata (near the former Al Andalus Petrol station) and Jabur bin Ahmed (Ramada signal) will also see renovations by the beginning of next year.
Meanwhile, work has also just begun to convert Markhiya (Burger King)Â R/A and nearby Dahl Al Hammam R/B into signalized intersections.
The past year has seen the removal of nearly 10 roundabouts on the Corniche, including Onaiza (Oryx) R/A, as well as the takedown of Arch (Rainbow) R/A to make way for the new Lusail Expressway.
The construction comes as Qatar’s roads strain to accommodate an influx of more than 100,000 cars each year, due to the soaring population.
Which roundabout do you think is next on the list? Thoughts?
keep the clock and remove the roundabout…:P
It can be moved to one of the corners… :O
It could always be moved ot of the city and placed along side the metal ‘art’ display 😉
Keep the clock and give it a proper place nearby.
And please, provide sufficient underpasses for pedestrians.
Good idea.
Hopefully the next one will be Sports R/A
Yes, that’s a nasty one.
Sports R/A should be next!
I just flew over the city from USA this morning but ive never seen such a beautiful place in my life since were moving to Qatar soon I have my fingers crossed cant contain my excitement, bye bye KSA forever
The destruction of of all these roundabouts is changing the character of Doha. Oryx, Rainbow, Clock Tower, Burger King, etc. were all interesting, usually well landscaped green spaces in the middle of city of concrete, glass, asphalt and sand.
And I’m not too sure removing them has made a great impact on traffic. But then with so many new cars arriving daily, any measures are like a sandcastle trying to stem the tide.
one more iconic R/A is left in Wakra.. Pearl R/A
LoL.. Yeah!!!
It will fall short in serving the purpose as it would get super crowded by 2022
Why dont they convert the whole of C,D Ring and the Corniche into Flyovers as they did to Salwa Rd.
It would be the ideal long term solution i feel…
I love how qatar can pick and choose its cultural heritage. there is such a stink about dress codes and peripheral issues, the actual cultural areas of the city are being destroyed. i have lived in Qatar for many years and have witnessed landmark after landmark be destroyed and taken away.
You cant have it both ways, you cant expect people to take the country seriously about keeping its culture and its heritage when it is removing it all.
They can and they will , it’s great see when you can pick and choose so called cutural rules when it suits your mood . It’s called being a hypocrite in the big bad world , when you live in a gilded cage you act like a golden turkey .
Because the women in charge of the dress code campaign were definitely the ones responsible for having the clock removed!
What about taking down the Damien Hirst babies at Sidra and lining up the removed icons from the roundabouts instead……………………..
Yes. Should never have gone up in the first place.
The destruction of the roundabouts is the destruction of local history and the erasing of familiar landmarks. It’s sad and appalling.
Ashgal should also consider immediately the demolition of Pearl R/A at Wakrah.