All photos courtesy of Ashghal

Construction work has begun on a major new expressway in Qatar that will link Doha’s Industrial Area with the new Hamad International Airport and the forthcoming new Doha port, which is due to open in 2016, Ashghal has announced.

The East West Corridor will consist of 22km of new road that runs five lanes in each direction. It is slated to stretch from west of Barwa City to south of Air Force Roundabout on Al Matar Street (Airport Road.)

So far, contractors Joannou & Paraskevaides (Overseas) Limited and China Harbour Engineering Company have conducted some preliminary work, including putting up temporary fencing and clearing debris on project sites.

The new route’s completion date has yet to be announced. But when finished, the corridor will link up with Doha’s new Orbital Expressway, the first phase of which is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2017.

The corridor will include eight new interchanges that are expected to provide access to key roads and residential areas such as the Najma Street Extension, Barwa Access Road, and the new Al Wakrah Bypass.

‘Beautification’

The Public Works Authority has emphasized that contractors will also be required to “beautify” the route, planting over 3,000 trees, 128,000 shrubs and 140,000 square meters of grass. They will also move 600 trees currently growing in the construction area to other locations.

Plans also include specially constructed cycle paths and pedestrian walkways.

Ashghal also said that they plan to keep local residents updated on the progress of works in their area with the distribution of flyers, and with a dedicated 24-hour complaint and inquiries hotline, which is due to be set up shortly.

Thoughts?