Tribune News Network
Doha
THE Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has taken measures to increase traffic flow on Ali Bin Abi Talib Street in New Slata in response to public comments on the implementation of traffic diversions in the area.
The traffic diversion has led to heavy traffic in the area following the resumption of schools.
The diversion included diverting traffic on Ali Bin Abi Talib Street to the service road and keeping two lanes open in each direction during the project period, which is the same original number of lanes that was open to traffic before works started. All schools entrances in the area remained open.
Ashghal started works on phase one of Ali Bin Abi Talib, Al Qafila and Al Maahed streets development project after announcement in local newspapers, social media and Ashghal's website.
To improve traffic flow in the area, Ashghal has opened Al Maahed Roundabout completely for traffic, after it was closed on Sunday and removed speed humps on currently open lanes on Ali Bin Abi Talib Street.
The authority has also recalibrated traffic signals at Al Rawabi and Khalifa Al Attiya Intersections to enhance traffic flow on Ali Bin Abi Talib Street and implemented maintenance works on currently open lanes on the street.
Ashghal also approached school officials in the area to discuss their suggestions to ensure easy and safe access for students and parents to schools and keep them updated about the project. This is in addition to having an Ashghal engineer on site to respond to questions and remarks from the residents and visitors of the area.
When completed, the project will enhance traffic flow by increasing the number of lanes on Ali Bin Abi Talib and Al Qafila streets, increasing the road capacity by 30 percent, in addition to converting Al Qafila and Al Maahed roundabouts to signal-controlled intersections.
A month-and-a-half-long study preceded works commencement, during which cameras were installed in the project area to measure traffic flow. Based on this information, traffic diversions were designed to ensure minimum impact on traffic, and was reviewed and approved by the General Directorate of Traffic in Ministry of Interior.
Ashghal has apologised for any inconvenience the road users may face during the project's implementation period, according to a press release by the authority. The release added that the approved timeline to complete the project will take about 11 months.