The Public Works Authority, Ashghal, has announced that it will be partially opening the newly-converted Sheraton intersection tomorrow.

It said the Corniche road between Post Office junction and Dafna Roundabout will be open to through traffic in both directions – with no traffic signals.

However, drivers will still not be able to make a left turn onto Al Funduq St. from the Corniche, or make a left turn from that street onto the Corniche road.

Those announced closures first took effect early last week, and appeared to be one reason why traffic was so backed up in West Bay at the time.

Although no details were provided in today’s statement, Ashghal has previously said the construction would be completed within four months from Jan. 1, 2014.

The work is to convert both the Sheraton and Dafna roundabouts into signalized intersections. Ashghal explains:

“This development is part of a project consisting of three lane dual carriageways on the Corniche Street including three lanes towards City Centre Mall and three lanes towards Omar Al Mukhtar Street, in addition to the side roads to the right of signals.

The work also includes creating a signalised pedestrian crossing between the two intersections to access the new Qatar International Exhibition Centre and other government buildings located in this area without a need to make a U-turn from Al Dafna intersection.”

Ashghal also shared these images of its progress so far:

Thoughts?