Doha: To enable the construction of a free-flowing multi-level junction on the New Orbital Highway and Truck Route project, Salwa Road Interchange No. 24 will be converted into a signalised roundabout.
This was announced by the Public Works Authority, ‘Ashghal’.
The proposed road change, which will occur approximately 25 kilometres west of Doha, has been designed in coordination with the General Directorate of Traffic. It will be implemented in the coming few days, with an expected operation period of 12 months.
The change in road is essential to expedite construction of the New Orbital Highway, a new 195 kilometre long expressway that will reduce the current travel time between Mesaieed and Al Khor by over one hour.
As shown on the attached map, the road change will modify the existing interchange into a signal-controlled roundabout. Road users will still be able to travel in all directions between Doha, Lusail, Mesaieed and Abu Samra by taking their respective roundabout exit.
Ashghal said that it will not reduce the existing four lane layout in each direction on Salwa Road, but the signalised roundabout will only provide three lanes, before returning to the normal four lane layout. To ensure the safety of road users, the speed limit on Salwa Road will be gradually reduced from 120 kph to 50 kph until traffic reaches the signalised roundabout.
Ashghal expects that the new roundabout layout will only impact trucks travelling on the Temporary Truck Route. The road change is not expected to affect typical traffic flow in the area or create significant congestion on other sections of Salwa Road.
The Public Works Authority will also implement several measures to reduce the impact of the road change on truck drivers, including providing an alternative free flow route from Salwa Road Interchange No. 17 to the Doha West Sewage Treatment Plant and the Temporary Truck Route, as shown on the attached map. The route will be available to truck drivers to avoid the buildup of traffic congestion at the signalised roundabout.
Ashghal will also install road signage in Arabic, English and Urdu to provide early notice of the road change, and traffic police will be on hand in the first 24 hours of the diversion to provide direction and support to truck drivers and any other road users.
The Public Works Authority urged all road users to abide by the speed limit, which has been reduced from 120 kph to 50 kph on some sections of Salwa Road, and follow newly implemented traffic road signs to ensure their safety.
