Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the State of Kuwait HE Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al Ali Al Sabah inaugurated the Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor on Wednesday.

The inauguration coincides with the celebration of the National Day and Liberation Day Anniversary of Kuwait.

The ceremony included a screening of two films. The first film was about the late Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah about whom HH the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had directed to name the Corridor in his name in February 2019, embodying the deep historic ties of brotherhood and in appreciation of his humanitarian efforts.

The film highlighted the late Sheikh Sabah’s humanitarian positions, which are continued by HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. The other film shed light on the distinct features of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor as one of the largest road infrastructure projects in the country which includes bridges, intersections and tunnels, and will achieve a traffic flow, serving many other transport sectors such as Hamad International Airport and the metro network, through its integration with many main roads.

The first road in Qatar to be known as corridor considering its importance and strategic location, Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor extends from Hamad International Airport to Umm Lekhba Interchange near Landmark on Al Shamal Road, covering a distance of more than 29 kilometres.

The length of newly developed service roads and perpendicular roads connecting with the corridor and the total project work reaches an approximate length of 41 kilometres, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) said in a statement.

To be known as ‘Lung of Doha’ and a vital artery that greatly contributes to easing traffic congestion in Doha, the corridor is an ideal alternate route to Doha Expressway and 22 February Street.

“Through this corridor, commuters from HIA can reach Umm Lekhba Interchange in less than 18 minutes, while the same journey through Doha Expressway and 22 February Street may take about 50 minutes. Thanks to the free flow of traffic along the bridges and tunnels on the corridor, commuters will be able to save about 70 percent of travel times,” Ali Mohammed Al Darwish of Ashghal’s Highway Projects Department told Qatar Tribune.

“Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor is a four-lane dual carriage highway after converting the old road from two lanes in each direction and the vehicle capacity has

increased from 8,000 vehicles per hour in both directions to more than 20,000 vehicles per hour in both directions,” he said.

While the major works on the corridor are complete, Darwish said, all the remaining works on the highway such as service roads, landscaping, beautification and tree plantation works are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2021.

In a statement, Minister of Transport and Communication HE Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti said, “We share the joy of Kuwaiti people in their celebrations of National Day and the anniversary of Liberation Day through the opening of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor, which is an embodiment of fraternal relations between Qatar and Kuwait.”

Sulaiti said, “The new highway is an important addition to the land transport network of Qatar and a major link between the south and north of the country through Doha city. The corridor will contribute to reducing traffic congestion and achieve great traffic flow, serving other means of transport such as Hamad International Airport and Metro network through integration with many major roads such as Al Rayyan Road, Salwa Road and Al Shamal Road.”

Ashghal President Saad bin Ahmed Al Muhannadi said, ”The opening of Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor to traffic comes a few months prior to the schedule, and it will serve about 25 residential neighbourhoods such as Al Gharrafa, Al Luqta, Al Rayyan, Al Waab and Bu Hamour, as well as many commercial, educational, health facilities and other vital utilities.”

Ashghal Projects Affairs Director Yousef Al Emadi said, “Qatar’s government has spared no effort to complete the works as fast as possible using local materials in the implementation of the project at an estimated rate of 60 percent of works.”

Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi said, “Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor is one of the vital roads to facilitate the movement of people to various World Cup stadiums.”

He pointed out that the corridor will not only facilitate movement, but cut the travel time to the stadiums, especially to Al Janoub Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium and Education City Stadium.

He said, “It is a step forward in Qatar’s preparations to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and in fulfilling its obligations towards various infrastructure and roads projects associated with the World Cup, especially with regard to transportation plans and networks.”

Thawadi said, “The super quality modern road network built by the state in recent years has contributed in changing the concept of people’s movement between stadiums and linking them, in a way that promises to provide a smooth and enjoyable trip experience for the fans and teams participating in the tournament. The new roads will facilitate movement between accommodation facilities and training venues to fan areas and various tourist spots in Qatar, such that everyone can enjoy the close-range nature of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”

The old roundabouts and signalised intersections along the corridor are converted into 18 multi-level interchanges, 30 bridges and 15 underpasses to provide free-flow traffic.

Sabah Al Ahmad Corridor also includes the construction of pedestrian crossings including 7 bridges and two pedestrian underpasses, besides 50.5 km long bicycle and pedestrian paths to ensure safe movement of people, in addition to beautification and tree plantation, works along with an approximate area of 355,642 square metres.

The project included 6,300,000 cubic metres of excavation, backfilling and paving works as well as the use of approximately 1,442,000 tonnes of asphalt and 1,520,000 cubic metres of reinforced concrete.

The infrastructure lines installed include 220km of communication lines, about 470 km of power lines, 205km of drainage lines extension and about 77km of treated sewer lines.