AECOM Technology Corporation has been selected as the designer for a design-build contract to upgrade North Road in Qatar as part of the wider $20-billion Qatar Expressway project.

The leading provider of professional technical and management support services for public and private clients worldwide said it has secured the project that is part of the 342-mile new expressway and service road programme aimed at improving Qatar’s road network.

Work on the project is set to begin immediately, with construction scheduled for completion during 2014.

Aecom’s scope of work will involve the 61-mile North Road, which connects the capital Doha with Madinat Al Shamal/Al Ruwais on the north coast.

As part of the two-year project, the Aecom team will enhance the accessibility of the road to reduce travel time between the two cities and improve the performance of the road by adding frontage streets and new interchanges as well as upgrading existing interchanges.

The team is also designing the longest bicycle lane along the road as well as creating context-sensitive artscape and beautification works.

“We are delighted to play a vital role in the advancement of Qatar’s infrastructure,” said John Dionisio, Aecom chairman and chief executive officer.

“We at Aecom understand the importance of a world-class infrastructure network to the evolution of Qatar,” he added.