QATAR’S Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has awarded contracts worth QR10.18 billion ($2.79 billion), including three key deals under the Expressway programme.

Of the three contracts worth QR7.71 billion ($2.11 billion) awarded under the programme, two are part of the Rayyan Road development scheme and involve the construction and the development of roads from the west of the New Rayyan Road roundabout to the east of Bani Hajer roundabout at a cost of QR1.02 billion ($280 million) and of the roads to the west of the Olympic roundabout to the areas lying west of the New Rayyan roundabout under a QR3.43-billion ($941 million) deal.

The first project, which includes the upgrading of four lanes in each direction besides 2 km of service roads on both sides, is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2016.

The second project, involving work between Olympic roundabout and New Rayyan roundabout, is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2017. It includes upgrading a 5.3-km stretch of road with four lanes in either direction besides services roads of approximately the same length.

The third contract is for the design and construction of the first phase (45 km) of the 180-km dual-carriage New Orbital Highway, located on the south west of Doha. The QR3.26-billion ($895 million) project will connect the New Doha Port and Al Wakrah bypass, which is currently under construction, and includes a road linking Mesaieed Road to the East-West corridor.

The proposed highway has four junctions and will have four lanes in either direction with provisions for two additional lanes in future, besides footpaths and cycle lanes alongside.

On completion of the New Orbital Highway project between Al Khor and Mesaieed, the road will provide an orbital track around Doha and pave way for a truck route between Mesaieed Industrial City and Ras Laffan Industrial City. It is expected to reduce the heavy vehicle movement through the city.

Contracts worth QR2.47 billion ($678 million) for the construction of roads and infrastructure in Al Khor and Doha Industrial Area have also been awarded.

They include the development of the Commercial Street in Al Khor, the first phase of infrastructure expansion in the Doha Industrial Area and first phase of infrastructure development for the North and East Al Kheesa (Rawdat Hamam area and the first phase of development in Rawdat Abal Heeran area).

Among other projects, many streets in the Doha’s industrial area will be upgraded under a QR1.36-billion ($373 million) deal awarded to a joint venture of Qatar Trading and Contracting Group/MSF Engrenharia. The works, to be completed in the third quarter of 2016, are to be carried out over an area of about 480 hectares and will see at least 38 km of existing roads revamped.