Qatar's public works authority Ashghal is set to start work on a new multi-level interchange on the New Orbital Highway and Truck Route in line with its plan to upgrade the existing roundabout.

In co-ordination with the General Directorate of Traffic, new routes for the four loops have been made available until the required revamp comes to a close, said a statement from Ashghal.

On completion in 2018, the new multi-level interchange will increase the existing road capacity from three lanes to five lanes in each direction while simultaneously enhancing travel efficiency to Al Shamal, Al Ruwais, Lusail and Salwa Road.

Road users planning to travel from Lusail to Doha will need to drive west across the bridge towards Salwa Road, make a U-turn at the first roundabout, before taking the right turn exit towards Doha, as shown in the attached map, said the statement.

Meanwhile, in another development, the first phase of Al Rayyan Road has been opened after key upgradation.

The first phase of the Al Rayyan Road upgrade project extends for 2.9 km from west of Khalid bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Roundabout (New Al Rayyan Roundabout) to east of Bani Hajer Roundabout.

It includes the construction of four lanes in each direction separated by a median, around 2 km of side roads, and around 5.8 km of service roads.

The project also includes the construction of three interchanges, namely the interchange between Al Shafi Street and Al Rayyan Road, and interchange between Al Qalaa Street and Al Rayyan Road.

Those interchanges include two underpasses that provide a continuous traffic movement along Al Rayyan Road, and they include traffic signals on the ground level to facilitate the flow of vehicles to and from Al Rayyan Road from the surrounding areas, especially the residential areas on Al Qalaa Street and the commercial areas on Al Shafi Street, which will reduce the congestion in internal roads and reduce dependence on them.

The interchange between Al Rayyan Road and Al Wajba Street, which is signalised, is also being developed as part of the project and will be completed soon, said the statement from Ashghal.

The project also includes the construction of pedestrian and cyclist paths in a bid to encourage people to walk and use bicycles.

The first phase of Al Rayyan Road Upgrade project, which opened to traffic today, will contribute to the improvement of traffic movement in the area and shorten the travel time by around 20 to 30 per cent, it added .-TradeArabia News Service