In the absence of tangible short-term solutions to Qatar’s traffic woes, residents have no choice but to wait for major overhauls of the roads to be completed, the director of the Traffic Department has said.

Quoting Brig. Mohamed Saad Al Kharji, the Peninsula reports:

“You need to be patient… Traffic snarls are basically due to the closure of roads and diversions caused by development projects.”

Traffic jams need long-term solutions. Once the mega public transport projects are completed, the situation would improve.

Qatar, which has seen its population double to more than 2 million people in the past six years, has been struggling with increasing traffic congestion in the past couple of years.

This summer, it began embarking in earnest on overhauling many popular roads here, turning Corniche roundabouts in signaled intersections and working to convert two-lane roads into highways. While the end result is sure to improve residents’ commute, the interim congestion that has ensued is the source of much grumbling.

–>insert tweet about Doha traffic here<–

— Chantal Mossess (@chantalboyajian) October 22, 2013

Meanwhile, Qatar Tribune reports Al Kharji as saying a new junction is going to be built between Ramada signal and Midmac flyover along Salwa Road. The signaled intersection will make it easier for motorists to get to Nasser St. and traffic congestion in the area, the official said.

However, no timeline for the new junction was discussed.

The Tribune said Al Kharji also spoke about a recent driving license ban imposed on certain classes of residents in Qatar:

“(Al) Kharji said that a large segment of the society has praised the decision as a major step to tackle traffic congestion in the country. He said the department took the step for the convenience of all road users without prejudice to a particular section of the society.”

The official added that the ban would be temporary.

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo by Sorin Furcoi