The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has made considerable progress on the construction of the first phase of the C-Ring Road development project, with Umm Ghuwailina Roundabout, also known as the VIP roundabout, removed and converted to an intersection.
Ashghal is currently laying the pre-final layer of asphalt on the newly added lanes on this intersection and will soon start installing traffic lights and connecting them to the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS).
As part of the project, Ashghal has diverted and protected the existing infrastructure utilities in the area and upgraded them, in addition to laying asphalt on both sides of the road stretching from Umm Ghuwailina Roundabout to Najma intersection.
According to Ashghal, the first phase of the project, which started in May this year, stretches from Umm Ghuwailina Roundabout to midway between Najma and Al Mansoura intersections. It aims to widen the road to four lanes in each direction and convert Umm Ghuwailina Roundabout to a signal-controlled intersection.
Work on this phase of the project is expected to complete as per schedule in the third quarter of 2014.
The project involves a 6.3-km stretch from C-Ring Road's intersection with Salwa Road (Jabor bin Ahmed intersection) to Umm Ghuwailina Roundabout and consists of widening C-Ring Road from three lanes to four and converting a number of roundabouts to signal-controlled intersections. This is in addition to introducing three new U-turns with pedestrian crossings before the intersections.
To keep the public fully informed about this vital project, Ashghal has implemented an integrated awareness program. Before the start of works on the project, project brochures in English and Arabic were distributed to all businesses in the area to inform people about the details of the project and a designated community liaison officer was appointed to address any related requests and enquiries.
Since the commencement of the project, Ashghal said it has solved a number of issues raised by the local community such as providing alternative parking space for businesses and coordination with companies to remove signage in the street to allow for construction works.
A company was appointed to remove and relocate the Clock Tower at the VIP roundabout without damaging the structure. It will be reinstalled at a location designated by the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning.
The C-Ring Road development project is part of a series of projects implemented by Ashghal to improve the network of local roads and expressways across the country. Road enhancement works include converting roundabouts to signal-controlled intersections and widening roads to increase capacity.