The impressively complex Umm Lekhba (Landmark) Interchange has nine bridges providing a free traffic flow in all directions highlighting its significance as a key access point on Doha Expressway for local residential areas and malls.
Doha: Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project is the first in Qatar to be called a "Corridor" instead of a road due to its great importance and unique construction. The new Corridor, to be completed in 2021, will have the first cable-stayed bridge in Qatar as well as the largest intersection, longest bridge, deepest and longest bi-directional tunnel.
The Corridor, unveiled today by the Prime Minister and the Representative of Emir of Kuwait, will include the upgrade of seven main roads, which will not only bring relief to Doha traffic, by providing an alternative route to the busy 22 February street and double traffic capacity, but also connect the south of the country to the north via Doha by linking the Doha Expressway with the southern part through Al Wakra Bypass.
The project is named after Kuwait Emir to strengthen bonds of solidarity and brotherhood between the two countries and mark Kuwait's National Day.
Overview of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor
Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will extend for approximately 25 kilometres from Hamad International Airport to Umm Lekhba Interchange (known as Landmark Interchange) on Doha Expressway. Its scope includes the upgrade of seven main roads namely, E Ring, F Ring, Mesaimeer, Al Bustan, Bu Erayyen, Lebday and sections of Al Markhiya Street. In addition, Ashghal will enhance 12 kilometres of local and peripheral roads intersecting with the Corridor. The total road works of the project is approximately 37 kilometres.
Once completed in 2021, Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will significantly contribute to the relief of traffic congestion on Doha Expressway in particular, 22 February Street. The new Corridor will be a vital alternative and parallel route that will serve thousands of daily commuters from the north to the south of Doha. Commuters travelling from Hamad International Airport will be able to reach Umm Lekhba Intersection in approximately 18 minutes compared to the current 50 minutes via Doha Expressway and 22 February Street reducing the time taken by 70%.
The new Corridor will also form a vital link between the north and the south of Doha through Al Watiyyat Interchange, at F Ring Road, which will constitute a key point to accommodate traffic to both Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor and Doha Expressway. This interchange will also create a vital connection between Doha Expressway and Southern Part of Doha Express Highway (Al Wakra Bypass) as well as to Mesaieed Road further south.
The current road layout holds up to three lanes in each direction, which will be upgraded to between four and five lanes in each direction. This expansion will accommodate approximately 20,000 vehicles per hour in both directions on the Corridor while Doha Expressway currently accommodates 12,000 vehicles per hour, which will significantly improve traffic movements in the surrounding areas.
The project will convert all roundabouts to more efficient and safer signalised junctions as well as build and upgrade 17 interchanges. These interchanges will deliver 32 bridges and 12 vehicular underpasses to enhance connectivity and provide smooth traffic movements in addition to 12 pedestrian bridges.
65 kilometres of pedestrian and cycle paths along with 1.5 million square metre of landscaping will also be delivered as part of the project’s scope of works.
First Cable-Stayed Bridge in Qatar
Sabah Al Ahmed Corridor includes the first Cable-Stayed Bridge in Qatar with a length of 1200 metres. It extends from Mesaimeer Road to Al Bustan Street and crosses over Halul Intersection on Mesaimeer Road and Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection on Salwa Road.
Longest Bridge
The Corridor will be the home to the longest flyover in the country, which spans 2.6 kilometres extending from Al Bustan Street to Bu Erayyen Street and crossing over Al Waab Street and Rasheeda Street.
Largest Interchange
Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will include the largest Interchange in Qatar. The impressively complex Umm Lekhba (Landmark) Interchange has nine bridges providing a free traffic flow in all directions highlighting its significance as a key access point on Doha Expressway for local residential areas and malls.
Longest and deepest bi-directional tunnel
The project consists of the recently opened Al Rayyan Road, which is the longest and deepest bi-directional tunnel in Qatar. It sits 25 metres below ground level and extends for 2.1 kilometres connecting Bu Erayyen Street and Lebday Street.
Residential Areas and Main Roads
The new Corridor is a major link facilitating connections to 15 main roads namely Al Wakra Road, Ras Bu Abboud Road, E Ring Road, F Ring Road, Industrial Road, Salwa Road, Al Rayyan Road, Al Waab Street, Al Luqta Street, Al Markhiya Street, Doha Highway and Khalifa Avenue. It will serve 25 densely populated residential areas such as Al-Thumama, Al Nuaija, Bu Hamour, Al Waab, Al Rayyan, Al Luqta, Al Gharrafa, etc.
World Cup Stadiums
Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will facilitate access to most of the World Cup FIFA 2022 stadiums including Ras Bu Abboud, Al Thumama, Al Wakra, Khalifa International and Qatar Foundation Stadiums.
Qatar Rail
The Corridor provides easy access to some of Doha Metro stations such as the Economic Zone, Al Waab and Old Rayyan.
Drive through Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor project
Once completed, road users coming from Hamad International Airport and southern Doha and heading north will be able to use the new Corridor via F-Ring Road then continue on the existing Mesaimeer flyover to use the new 900-metre bridge crossing over Al Shehaimiya Interchange (formerly known as Bu Hamour Interchange).
The new Cable-Stayed Bridge will allow road users to drive towards the north avoiding Halul Intersection and Faleh Bin Nasser Intersection on Salwa Road to smoothly reach Al Bustan Street. From there, road users will be able to continue their journey using the 2.6 kilometre bridge. This will allow them to avoid the Snay Bu Hasa Intersection and Al Waab Intersection as well as Lekhwiya Roundabout, which will be converted to a signalised junction.
At this stage, road users would have reached Bu Erayyen Street where they will be able to drive through the recently opened tunnel at Lebday Interchange in Al Rayyan, which connects to Lebday Street. Two additional bridges will deliver a free traffic flow to alleviate the traffic at Mekkah and Al Luqta Intersections and deliver connectivity to Thani Bin Jassim tunnel to continue their journey to the north, road users will be able to drive through Al Markhiya Street in Al Gharrafa and reach Umm Lekhba Interchange (known as Landmark Interchange).
