DOHA: The first underpass on the Salwa International Highway currently under construction is expected to open soon, with work entering the final phase.
Work on the QR1.6bn highway project started in July 2010 and the first phase was expected to be completed by the end of last year, a local Arabic daily reported yesterday.
Nearly 700 commercial establishments on both sides of the Salwa Road were badly hit by massive excavations and partial road closures going on in the area over the past two-and-a-half years.
Work on access roads to shopping facilities is now almost over and traffic lights have become functional at all the four intersections on the nearly 7km highway, significantly contributing to traffic.
The intersection at Ain Khaled is expected to be the first to open for traffic, with the finishing touches going on in full swing.
The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has hired well-known Tunisian artist eL Seed to do the wall decoration at the underpasses, said the daily. The artwork will be a mix of Arabic calligraphy and sketches from the Qatari culture.
The Salwa International Highway project includes four underpasses and intersections at Ain Khaled, Al Aziziya, Central Market and former Decoration roundabout renamed as Al Bustan intersection.
The project that forms part of the Doha Expressway links the Asiri Intersection on D-Ring Road to the Industrial Area intersection on the Salwa-Abu Samra Road.
Each of the four intersections comprises a tunnel and a bridge, supported with service roads, traffic lights and car parking.
The longest tunnel is at Aziziya intersection (810 metres), with a 128m bridge.
The intersection at Ain Khaled which is nearing completion comprises 780-metre-long underpass, and 124 metres long bridge, The Central Market intersection will have a tunnel with a length of 651 meters, and a 123-metre-bridge. The Al Bustan Intersection comprises 651 metres underpass and a 123metre-long bridge.
The project has been carried out avoiding a complete road closure in line with a new policy of Ashghal to keep the impact of construction on the traffic flow to the minimum levels, the daily said.
The project has triggered tremendous interest as well as public criticism for delays in execution due to its strategic importance in the future traffic plan of the country.
The Peninsula
