WooHoo less traffic accedints involving walk lovers :D this is also good for Expats that like to walk A place to walk Doha • The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is planning to include more footbridges and walkways in its future projects. It will also explore the possibility of including these facilities in some of its ongoing projects. The decision comes in the wake of a public survey it conducted recently. The survey found a strong demand from the public, both from the nationals and the residents, and from officials of the Ministry of Interior (MOI), for developing more footbridges to ensure safety of pedestrians. They wanted the immediate construction of footbridges, pedestrian tracks and tunnels in a number of roads, especially those near public places, parks and commercial streets to avoid traffic accidents. It may be recalled that The Peninsula had carried a story in November 2007 sharing the concerns of the pedestrians on the issue. Colonel Mohamed Ma'rafia, head of Traffic Safety and Planning of the Ministry of Interior (MOI), said: “It would be better if Ashghal builds pedestrian bridges in crowded streets like Corniche, Grand Hamad Street, D Ring road, Wakra Road etc. The bridges will be better than pedestrian signal lights, as it can avoid possible risks,” he said. Colonel Ma'rafia suggested Ashghal develop bridges that are equipped with specially designed lifts so that it could ease the movements of people with special needs and the public in general. “The frequent use of signal buttons at pedestrian crossings by the public disrupts the smooth flow of traffic. Hence, it is ideal to set up footbridges", Colonel Mohamed Ma'rafia said. Mohammed Al Khalaf, a national, said pedestrian bridge is a great idea and the authorities should have implemented it long ago. He also suggested some criteria and technical specifications to be looked into while designing these bridges. He wanted Ashghal to build dust-free bridges with proper covering, with air-conditioners inside and elevators to help the people with special needs. “The pedestrian bridges are safer and secure than the pedestrian crossing signals. There will not be any traffic disruption and it will save the pedestrians from reckless drivers,” he said Abdullah Ziyarah, a resident, supported the idea for many reasons. Footbridges will help reduce accident rates, facilitate quick movements from one street to another and ensure greater safety for children. “The idea of pedestrian overbridge is good as drivers will not be forced to stop every five or ten minutes for one or two pedestrians to cross the road, affecting the traffic flow,” Ziyarah said. Responding to these survey findings, Ashghal said it was carrying out studies to build a number of bridges, tunnels and pedestrian tracks in its future projects. The idea has already been implemented at Landmark interchange, it said.

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