Ashghal opens second flyover bridge at Umm Lekhba Interchange

Public Works Authority (Ashghal) on Sunday opened the second flyover bridge at Umm Lekhba (Landmark) Interchange on Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Traffic. With a capacity of around 4,000 vehicles per hour, the 537m-long bridge with two unidirectional lanes from Al Markhiya to Doha will improve traffic in the area by providing free flow from Al Markhiya towards Doha.

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Road users coming from Al Markhiya Street towards Doha can pass through the new flyover without diversions. The new facility will also ease the pressure on Immigration Intersection by offering a parallel route to Khalifa Street towards Doha. The flyover serves Duhail, Madinat Khalifa, Al Markhiya and traffic coming from Al Corniche and heading for Doha and Al Gharrafa via 22 February Street. It also offers an alternative route for road users coming from commercial facilities and educational and health institutions in addition to those coming from Qatar University.

The opening of this bridge comes two months after the opening of the first flyover bridge of Umm Lekhba with a length of 820m from the new Al Hateem Street to 22 February Street. The two flyovers cross 22 February Street to form three lanes which will contribute to the free flow of traffic towards 22 February Street and Doha south.

It is worth mentioning that Ashghal has completed 65% of the 11km Umm Lekhba Interchange development works. Construction of Qatar's longest and vital interchange is under way round-the-clock. Once completed in the last quarter of 2020, Umm Lekhba (Landmark) Interchange will significantly improve traffic and shorten journey time by more than 70%. The bridges provide nine arteries that provide a free traffic flow in nine directions in addition to the free traffic on Al Shamal road as well as the underpass of the old interchange linking Al Markhiya Street and Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor.

Umm Lekhba Interchange consists of four levels and nine bridges that provide free traffic flow in all directions. It can accommodate more than 20,000 vehicles per hour. Five bridges consist of two lanes in one direction while the other four bridges include one lane in one direction. The interchange is the second highest interchange in Qatar after the interchange of Umm Bishr on the G-Ring R.

Umm Lekhba Interchange will ease the traffic congestion on Doha Expressway, especially at Al Gharrafa (Immigration) Interchange and Al Duhail intersections. It will also ensure smooth traffic flow for those coming from Doha Corniche, Markhiya, Madinat Khalifa and Duhail in the direction of Al Shamal Road, Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, Al Gharrafa and Gharrafat Al Rayyan areas to Al Luqta and Al Rayyan.

Umm Lekhba Interchange is also located in a densely populated area with vibrant commercial activities, many government entities and educational and health facilities as well as complexes and commercial markets. The Interchange includes a sophisticated intelligent transportation system where surveillance cameras, vehicle number monitor, vehicle classification and emergency traffic system will be installed for efficient traffic control.