Qatar’s Khalid bin Abdullah Al Attiyah (Old Petrol Station) roundabout will be shut for two years starting Saturday, Sept. 10, Ashghal has announced.

Motorists should likely prepare for backups and diversions because the busy roundabout connects three main thoroughfares – Al Rayyan Al Jadeed Street, Al Furousiya Street and Huwar Street – in western Doha.

Its closure is to make way for a “free-flowing, multi-level interchange,” which should ultimately help improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the area, the public works authority said.

Detours

Drivers in the area will be diverted through local roads until September 2018.

However, the closure will mean longer journeys for motorists traveling from Bani Hajer to Al Gharafa, and from Al Gharafa into central Doha.

Those heading east towards central Doha from Bani Hajer will now head south via a one-way detour onto Furousiya St., where a traffic signal will enable them to turn right onto Al Rayyan Al Jadeed St.

Meanwhile, westbound traffic on Al Rayyan Al Jadeed St. from Sports R/A will be detoured right before the closed roundabout onto a three-lane, one-way diversion route connecting Al Rayyan Al Jadeed St. and Huwar St., Ashghal said in a statement.

During the period of the works, the speed limit on the diversion routes will be reduced to 50km/h, Ashghal added.

Ashghal has been overhauling many of Qatar’s major junctions, removing roundabouts and replacing them with intersections in a bid to reduce accidents and keep traffic moving.

Will this affect your commute? Thoughts?