H.E. the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani and Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al Ali Al Sabah the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Kuwait, together inaugurated the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor Wednesday. The inauguration coincides with the celebration of the National Day and Liberation Day Anniversary of the State of Kuwait.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by prominent guests including Their Excellencies the ministers, a delegation from the State of Kuwait, members of diplomatic missions in Qatar, heads of entities, senior Ashghal officials and representatives of the companies implementing the project.

It is worth noting that all the remaining works on the highway such as service roads, landscaping, beautification and tree plantation works are scheduled to complete by end of 2021.

#Ashghal: the 29km #Sabah_AlAhmad_Corridor has been opened a few months ahead of schedule, and the remaining works of service roads, landscaping & beautification will be delivered by end of 2021 #Qatar #Kuwait pic.twitter.com/7IuZntLSn8

— هيئة الأشغال العامة (@AshghalQatar) February 24, 2021

On this occasion, H.E. Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communication (MoTC) said, “We share the joy of our brethren in the State of Kuwait in their celebrations of National Day and the anniversary of Liberation Day through the opening of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, which depicts an embodiment of fraternity between Qatar and Kuwait, firmly rooted in the wise and visionary leadership of the two-State.

H.E. the Minister of MoTC added saying, “The new highway is an important addition to the land transport network of Qatar and a major link between the south and north of Qatar through Doha city. The corridor will contribute to reducing traffic congestion and achieve great traffic flow, serving other means of transport such as Hamad International Airport and Metro network through integration with many major roads such as Al Rayyan Road, Salwa Road and Al Shamal Road”.

#Sabah_AlAhmad_Corridor contributes to connect important economic facilities in #Qatar such as Hamad International Airport, Free Zone, Industrial Area, and commercial facilities near Salwa Road, Al Waab Street and Al Shamal Road at Umm Lekhba Interchange https://t.co/oiv7HSntYj pic.twitter.com/s83bbbYW2i

— هيئة الأشغال العامة (@AshghalQatar) February 24, 2021

H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed Al-Muhannadi, President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) expressed delight in opening Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor on the occasion of the celebration of National Day of the State of Kuwait. HE the President of Ashghal pointed out that Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor comes in honor of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, to commemorate his memory and to express loyalty to the Emir of Humanity.

H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed further clarified that the opening of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor to traffic comes a few months prior to the schedule, and it will serve about 25 residential neighborhoods such as Al Gharrafa, Al Luqta, Al Rayyan, Al Waab and Bu Hamour, as well as many commercial, educational, health facilities and other vital utilities.

H.E. Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmed added saying that the opening of the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor will provide an alternate route to 22 February Street, contributing to reduced traffic congestion between south and north of Doha and cutting travel time by more than 70%. The corridor will serve many vital facilities in all parts of Doha, especially since the road directly connects with Hamad International Airport in the south, and links major roads such as Industrial Area Road, Salwa Road, Al Waab Street, Al Rayyan Road, connecting many economic, commercial, health and educational facilities.

#Sabah_AlAhmad_Corridor extends 29 km from HIA, south of Doha, to Umm Lekhba Interchange, to include 18 interchanges, 30 bridges, 15 car underpasses to provide free traffic besides newly developed perpendicular roads with a total works of 41km #Qatar #Kuwait pic.twitter.com/bJ4lOL6NVj

— هيئة الأشغال العامة (@AshghalQatar) February 24, 2021

On his part, Eng. Yousef Al Emadi, Director of Projects Affairs at Ashghal stressed that the government has spared no effort to complete the works as fast as possible using local materials in the implementation of the project at an estimated rate of 60% of works. He assured that the remaining works of the Corridor such as service roads, beautification and landscaping are being completed to deliver by the end of 2021.

On the other hand, H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, confirmed that Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor is one of the vital roads to facilitate the movement of people to various World Cup stadiums, pointing out that the Corridor will not only facilitate movement but cut the travel time to the stadiums, especially to Al Janoub Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium and Education City Stadium.

H.E. Al Thawadi added saying, “We rejoice on the opening of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, as it is a step forward in Qatar’s preparations to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, and in fulfilling its obligations towards various infrastructure and roads projects associated with the World Cup, especially with regard to transportation plans and networks.”

H.E. Al Thawadi continued saying, “The super quality modern road network built by the state in recent years has contributed in changing the concept of people’s movement between stadiums and linking them, in a way that promises to provide a smooth and enjoyable trip experience for the fans and teams participating in the tournament and to facilitate movement between accommodation facilities and training venues to fans areas and various tourist spots in Qatar, such that everyone can enjoy the close-range nature of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

The Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor extends from Hamad International Airport, south of Doha, to Umm Lekhba Interchange, (Landmark Interchange) on Al Shamal Road at a distance of more than 29 km, besides the length of newly developed service roads and perpendicular roads connecting with the Corridor, total project work reaches to an approximate length of 41 kilometers.
Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor is a four-lane dual carriage highway after converting the old road from two lanes in each direction and the vehicle capacity has increased from 8000 vehicles per hour in both directions to more than 20,000 vehicles per hour in both directions. The Corridor is also an ideal alternate route for commuters along Doha Expressway & 22 February Street, which accommodates about 12,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.

The old roundabouts and signaled intersections along the corridor are converted into 18 multi-level interchanges, 30 bridges, and 15 underpasses to provide free-flow traffic.

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor also includes the construction of pedestrian crossings including 7 bridges and two pedestrian underpasses, besides 50.5 km long bicycle and pedestrian paths to ensure safe movement of people, in addition to beautification and tree plantation works along an approximate area of 355,642 square meters.

Facts and Figures

The project included 6,300,000 cubic meters of excavation, backfilling and paving works as well as the use of approximately 1,442,000 tons of asphalt and 1,520,000 cubic meters of reinforced concrete. The infrastructure lines installed include 220km of communication lines, about 470 km of power lines, 205km of drainage lines extension and about 77km of treated sewer lines. It is worth noting that 60% of materials used in these works are locally made.

#Sabah_AlAhmad_Corridor facilitates access to 6 World Cup stadiums, namely Ras Bu Abboud, Al Thumama, Al Janoub, Khalifa Intl., Education City and Ahmed Bin Ali & Aspire Zone, Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Al Sadd), Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Stadium & Al Gharrafa Stadium pic.twitter.com/WUbm76FwmQ

— هيئة الأشغال العامة (@AshghalQatar) February 24, 2021

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor is considered as ‘lung of Doha’. It will contribute greatly to ease traffic congestion in Doha in general, especially for those coming from south to north, as the road is an ideal alternate route to Doha Expressway & February 22nd Street, with better traffic flow, as the commuter from HIA through this road will reach Umm Lekhba Interchange on Al Shamal Road in less than 18 minutes, while the same journey through Doha Expressway & 22 February Street takes about 50 minutes, which means cutting 70% of travel time.

The new road is also the main link for those coming from the south of Qatar to its north through Doha city, as it will integrate Doha Expressway with its southern part (Al Wakra Parallel Road) and linking to Mesaieed Road through Al Thumama Stadium Interchange, which is considered a distribution point to the Doha Expressway on one hand, and to Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor on the other hand.

Sources: Ashghal Qatar; Gulf Times

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