The Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ opened the first of nine bridges at Umm Lekhba (Landmark) Interchange on Saturday, 2nd of October. The bridge is 820 meters and is part of the Sabah al Ahmed Corridor project.
The bridge creates an impact for free flow of traffic from Al Gharrafa towards Doha. This new interchange is 11 kilometres in length and is by far the largest interchange in Qatar. The bridge will also reduce travel time for commuters. It is estimated that around 1,500 vehicles per hour can be accommodated on the interchange when coming from Izghawa and Al Gharrafa areas towards Doha. Commuters no longer need to go through Al Shamal Road and can avoid the current construction that is occurring in the area.
According to The Peninsula, “The bridge consists of a unidirectional lane from Al Gharrafa to Doha and another emergency lane, with a total width of about 9 meters, and a height of 24 meters located on the fourth level of Umm Lekhba Interchange, which consists of four levels.”
Eng. Mashael Jolo said that 75% of the Umm Lekhba interchange development is complete. The second bridge is scheduled to open towards the end of 2019, followed by additional openings until 2020.
Furthermore, The Peninsula reported that the new junction consists of:
- An underpass extending 700 meters between Al Markhiya Street and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.
- Ground level consists of two loop bridges to Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor (bridge adjacent to Landmark Mall and another adjacent to Ezdan Mall to ease traffic pressure there.
- Ground level includes four bridges that provide free traffic flow and connects Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor to Al Shamal Road
- A second level includes three bridges to ensure traffic flow to and from Al Shamal Road and connecting Al Gharrafa to Doha and Al Shamal Road to Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.
There will also be an Intelligent Transmission System where there will be installations of surveillance, vehicle classification, vehicle number monitor and an emergency traffic system.
