Doha: The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has opened the longest and deepest bi-directional tunnel in Qatar as part of the Al Rayyan Road Upgrade Project Phase 2.
The tunnel forms part of the newly upgraded 2.1 kilometre stretch between Bu Erayen and Lebday Street.
The 1.5-kilometre long tunnel sits 25 meters below ground level making it the longest and deepest bi-directional tunnel in Qatar. At this initial stage, two out of four lanes in each direction will be open for traffic, accommodating 8,000 vehicles per hour in each direction.
The new tunnel is a major link between Bu Erayen and Lebday Street
Streets spanning the interchange known as Al Mokafaha and Lebday Interchange.
The event was attended by Yousef Al Emadi, Manager of Highway Projects Department, Brigadier General Mohammed Maarafiya, Manager of MOI Traffic Safety Department, and a number of officials and project engineers.
The tunnel forms part of the complex three level Al Mokafaha interchange. At grade there is signalised junction which facilitates traffic movements in all directions including Al Waab, Bani Hajer and Doha. Beneath this is an underpass which allows road users to travel seamlessly between Doha and Bani Hajer. The tunnel is beneath the underpass both of which replace the old roundabout.
New Openings:
The Project Manager Jumah Al Bader confirmed that the newly opened section of road and tunnel will reduce travel time between Bu Erayen and Lebday Street and Al Luqta and Al Waab by up to 65 % particularly due
to the increased lane capacity and removal of the existing diversions and will reduce traffic congestion on 22 February street.
Challenges:
He added that the construction of the new tunnel had to overcome many challenges. For instance, it was necessary to establish multiple traffic diversions and the construction of two temporary signalised intersections to facilitate the progress of the project. Excavating 25 metres below ground level meant that the team had to manage extremely large quantities of groundwater.
He explained that the tunnel is fitted with all the safety and security facilities and that a dedicated building was constructed to serve as the central control room for monitoring and controlling all operating system. This built-in system will allow the safe operation of the tunnel.
Previous openings:
The opening of the tunnel follows another series of openings achieved by Ashghal towards the end of 2018 like the partial opening of two new underpasses at the interchange known as Al Mokafaha and Khalid Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Interchange, the partial opening of a new bridge at Khalid Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Interchange and the new tunnel at Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani Interchange.
Al Rayyan Road upgrade project, phase two
Ashghal has completed 88% of the Al Rayyan Road Upgrade Project and is on target to finish the works by Q1 2019.
The phase two project is a critical inner city project that will enhance 5.5 kilometers of Al Rayyan Road and Al Rayyan Al Jadeed Street to the west of Olympic Intersection. As well as increasing the lane capacity of the main carriageway to four lanes in each direction, the project will deliver four main interchanges and upgrade of a flyover and a tunnel.
It will also provide upgraded service roads to serve businesses and residential areas as well as dedicated pedestrian and cycle paths. Notably, the project scope includes the upgrade of utility infrastructure such as treated sewage effluent lines, stormwater drainage network, potable water line and foul water networks as well as landscaping and beautification works.
