The Public Works Authority, Ashghal, recently announced the plan for road and infrastructure projects with a total investment of QR18.8bn in 2019, including 55 new projects. The new roads are expected to reduce traffic congestion and make better connectivity across the country.
Apart from the main road projects, construction of pedestrian bridges, cycle tracks, drainage systems and residential projects in various parts of the country are also taking part across the country.
According to a report, Ashghal is executing more than 100 roads and infrastructure development projects in 2018-19. In 2018 itself, Ashghal completed 90 percent of projects related to the 2022 World Cup. So the contribution of Ashghal in the nation building is worth mentioning.
And in all these projects, Ashghal’s support for the local industry, whether for small- scale contractors or for small and medium enterprises are commendable through Taheel initiative, which was launched in 2017.
More than 104 companies have already been accredited through the initiative, providing 141 certified and locally manufactured products. In the first year of the unjust blockade, Ashghal completed 10 highway projects at a cost of more than QR48bn.
It has also opened all roads that facilitate the entry of goods from the sea and air ports in order to overcome the siege.
Such projects include the opening of 14km Hamad Port street connecting the port industrial zone, the Orbital Road, Hamad Terminal at Ras Laffan Port and easy access to Ruwais Port, in addition to finishing parts of Khalifa Avenue and Al Rayyan road among other areas. All these developments have had a significant positive impact on the movement of vehicles and goods.
These roads have been linked to vital points such as Hamad International Airport, Hamad Port, Industrial Area, the logistics area, tourist areas and other attractions of the country.
Ashghal also partnered with leading international companies to ensure that Qatar becomes one of the best developed countries in the infrastructure sector.
Another new initiative of the Ashghal — the Directional Sign Development Strategy — aims at providing an excellent infrastructure to standardize the road signs that should improve the traffic flow and connectivity between roads and enhance the safety of road users.
The signs will be implemented in accordance with international standards, with attention to the installation in appropriate and clear locations to enable the driver to read the information written on them, and make it easy to navigate clearly during the day and night.
It’s a known fact that Ashghal is always at the forefront of the development of the country. Recent initiatives and workshops show how the authority is steadfastly moving on the right path for the major development projects that are being implemented to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030, including the projects related to the Middle East’s first football festival 2022 FIFA World Cup.
