Qatar commuters have complained of long traffic jams and frustrating attempts to get around a new diversion that began last night at Najma St. between C-Ring and D-Ring Roads.
The road from Al Nuaija intersection at The Mall to Al Mansoura intersection near Gulf Cinema will be shut in both directions until about mid-July.
Over the next 45 days, Ashghal will work to transform the Woqod Roundabout into a signalized junction and add an extra lane in the area to help with congestion.
The overhaul is part of the last of the major construction being done on C-Ring Road, which has been revamped over the past year to include more lanes, pedestrian crossings and signal upgrades.
Diversions
According to Ashghal, motorists can use several side streets to navigate the closure of Najma St.
But this morning, residents said the sheer number of vehicles attempting to cope with the diversion only created backups on each side street, as well as the surrounding areas:
@dohanews Yep. Lots of drivers using the back streets behind Woqod doing U-turns and holding up traffic 🙁
— Alan Holden (@Baldrick2Dogs) June 10, 2015
Others lamented the timing of the construction, saying Ashghal should have waited until schools and Ramadan finished:
@dohanews @LesleyWalker17 they should have started on school holidays pic.twitter.com/Uec9qpXXiv
— Nazik Mohamed (@mohamednazik) June 10, 2015
@dohanews better if started this renovation work after Ramadan, because its very difficult to stuck in the traffic in fasting
— Naeem Khan (@nkhanlive) June 10, 2015
Businesses
The road work also appears to be affecting some of the businesses in the area.
A receptionist at Focus Medical Center, located near Woqod Roundabout, told Doha News this afternoon that some patients are having trouble making it to their appointments because the facility’s front entrance is on Najma St.
However, she added that the clinic remains open, and patients can still access the medical center from the rear.
Meanwhile, an employee of Alfardan Marine – which is located on a section of Najma St. that remains open – said the road’s closure has forced many motorists to find alternative parking spots.
This has caused crowding in the area in front her shop and made it harder for customers to park, but she said that so far no one has complained.
Have you been affected by the road closure? Thoughts?
