QATAR’S Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has signed several contracts worth QR1.4 billion ($384.48 million) to bolster infrastructure development in the country.

The contracts involve road, drainage network and two educational building projects.

The road projects include upgrading of Lahwilah and Rayyan roads and related infrastructure. The QR98-million ($26 million) contract for the upgrade and beautification of a 1.8-km stretch of Rayyan Road has been awarded to HBK Contracting and QBS.

The Huwailah road development is a strategic 16-km route in the northeast of Qatar linking Ras Laffan Industrial City. The project, worth QR334 million ($91.7 million), has been awarded to Bin Omran Trading and Contracting Company. It include linking Ras Laffan area with the recently-completed North Road at Lahwilah Interchange.

The drainage projects comprise five segments, including the Kharatiyat groundwater project to alleviate flooding in the residential zone. The estimated QR109-million ($29 million) project, which is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2013, has been awarded to Qatar Building Company with Hyder Consultancy.

Another sewerage project worth QR122 million ($33 million) at Al Khor is to be implemented by Lotus Company and is expected to be completed by early 2015.

Other drainage projects cover Gharafa and Gharafa-Rayyan, and connecting pumping stations with residential areas in Ezghava, Kharitiat, Gharafa and Gharafa-Rayyan.

The building projects involve the construction of 10 kindergarten schools and four new schools in and around Doha.
Ashghal has signed a contract worth QR204 million ($56 million) with Imperial Trading and Contracting Company for the construction of 10 new kindergarten schools in different parts of the state.

A contract has also been signed to construct four new schools in different parts of Doha, Laqta, Old Airport and Hazem-eil-Markhia areas. The project, estimated at QR225 million ($61 million), has been awarded to Al Jaber Trading and Contracting.