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Tribune News Network
Doha
In a major boost for traffic movement, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) on Sunday opened Al Kharaitiyat Interchange to traffic as part of the North Road Corridor Enhancement project.
While the old junction with a single two-lane bridge allowed 4,000 vehicles to pass through per hour , the new interchange comprising eight bridges and flyovers with three to four lanes in each direction has increased traffic capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour.
The upgraded interchange serves as a main access point on the North Road, linking the areas in the eastern part like Al Ebb, Leabib, Lusail, Arab League Street leading to Qatar University, Al Dafna, Al Khor Coastal Road and the nearby vital commercial destinations.
The interchange also has a direct link with the western areas of Al Kharaitiyat, Bani Hajer, Al Wajba, Al Rayyan and Al Rufaa Street leading to Dukhan Highway and Al Jahhaniya Interchange.
The junction can receive around 11,000 vehicles per hour, which come from Al Rufaa Street alone.
Speaking at the opening, Expressway Department Engineer Yousef al Emadi said Al Kharaitiyat Interchange connects with all areas in the east, west, north and south, noting that it is also a free-flowing junction without road signals or roundabouts making driving easier and faster for motorists. He added that the interchange capacity had increased four-fold over the old interchange.
On his part, Central Municipal Council member Ali Nasser al Kaabi praised the new upgrade, saying"Whenever I pass by, I see workers work around the clock to complete the junction on schedule and they did so, thanks to Ashghal."
Ashghal designed the intersection for free-flow traffic better than the previous junction, removing road signals or roundabouts.
Ashghal also installed lights along the bridges, entrances and exits and placed all necessary signage for better traffic safety as part of Ashghal's traffic safety strategy.
Senior officials were present at the inauguration of the overhauled interchange. They included Ashghal's Infrastructure Affairs Director Engineer Mohammed Masoud al Marri, Traffic Engineering and Safety Brigadier Mohammed Maarifiya, Umm Slal Municipality representative Mohammed al Suhouti and Central Municipal Council member Ali Nasser al Kaabi and a number of Ashghal's project engineers.
