Tribune News Network
Doha
About one million vehicles entered The Pearl-Qatar in October, representing a 37 percent increase over October of 2016, United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of the Island, has announced.
The number of vehicles entering the Island is tracked through technologically-advanced monitoring devices installed at the entrance of The Pearl-Qatar. These devices registered a daily average of 33,500 vehicles in October. These counts include visitors, tourists, owners, residents and employees.
Based on current traffic flow, the number of vehicles entering The Pearl-Qatar is projected to grow annually from 10 million vehicles in 2016 to more than 11 million vehicles in 2017.
This increase in vehicles has coincided with the opening of two new tunnels at The Pearl Interchange on Lusail Expressway in September, which has eased traffic congestion coming in and out of The Pearl Qatar.
The construction of these tunnels was a directive of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al Thani, who ordered the completion of construction works and delivery of the project ahead of schedule. Since their inauguration, travel time to and from The Pearl-Qatar has been reduced significantly.
This development has also added value to UDC and The Pearl-Qatar that would not have been possible without the support of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) in Qatar, which envisages the development of the country's infrastructure through urban planning which has positively affected the flow of traffic to and from The Pearl and contributed to the real estate dynamics and community life on the Island.
The increase in vehicles entering the island has also contributed to a revival in retail activity at The Pearl-Qatar. The demand for the leasing of shops, restaurants and other businesses is on the rise, making The Pearl-Qatar a preferred place to live, shop and dine and to experience a unique lifestyle experience at one location.
According to the displayed data showing the influx of vehicles, weekends and holidays are the busiest days at The Pearl-Qatar with up to 35,000 vehicles entering The Pearl-Qatar on a typical Thursday. Traffic usually peaks at 4pm daily before gradually declining throughout the remainder of the day.
The database has also shown a decrease in the rate of buses and heavy vehicles entering the island, by an average seven percent, thanks in part to the speedy completion of development projects on the island.