DOHA: There is a possibility more lanes may be added to the arterial February 22 Road so as to broaden it and prevent traffic snarls during peak hours.
The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning is mulling easing traffic congestions on this major thoroughfare by adding several more lanes on its either side.
The planning department for transport and road infrastructure at the Ministry has disclosed that it is mulling to increase the number of lanes on either side of the February 22 Road to seven.
Five of the seven proposed lanes will be for light vehicles while the remaining two would be reserved for heavy vehicles, including trucks and trailers. Plans are also afoot to convert Al Thumama Roundabout into a traffic signals intersection.
There will also be a tunnel and a flyover there to help reduce traffic jams.
The department has also come up with permanent solutions to ease congestions on roads in downtown Doha and outer areas.
The solution for jams is to implement a complete transport system which is to rely on public transport to the extent of 20 percent and 80 percent on road network in outer areas.
However, in downtown areas of Doha, the dependence on public transport would be 40 percent and on road network 60 percent, said the department.
The Metro railway system can save enough time of the commuters in downtown Doha when it is ready.
This was disclosed at a meeting yesterday. It was chaired by Saud bin Abdullah Al Hanzab, Chairman, Central Municipal Council (CMC).
Expansion of roads by acquiring parking areas is an appropriate solution to get rid of crowded roads, said Lieutenant Mohammad Khalifa Al Muhaiza, Head, Traffic Section, Ministry of Interior ministry.
The Planning Department of the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning and Ashghal (Public Works Authority) are putting in place a mid-range plan (five to 10 years) to solve jams until implementation of national development plan.
The fast-growing population has forced authorities to think of solutions in this regard, he added.
The Peninsula
