Qatar has opened its ambitious Lusail Expressway project following the completion of all its main work including the arches at Interchange 5/6, the biggest and tallest monument in the country.

The expressway was inaugurated by Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi in the presence of Ashghal's president Dr Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi and other senior officials of the consulting and construction companies besides the Ambassador of South Korea.

One of the most prominent architectural monuments in Doha, the arches of Interchange 5/6, was launched.

Boasting more than 9300 tonnes of steel, the biggest and tallest monument in Qatar stands 100 m high and 147 m wide, said a statement from Ashghal.
 
A documentary video was played during the launch event of Lusail Expressway, showing the journey of the implementation of Lusail Expressway and the engineering challenges that Ashghal overcame, in addition to the consecutive openings that this year witnessed for the complete parts of the project, until the completion of all main works including the main carriageways, tunnels and bridgesm, it stated.
 
Unveiling the details of Lusail Expressway, Al Muhannadi said: "With the launch, traffic was moved to the main carriageway of Lusail Expressway along the whole road from its start in West Bay area until its end at Lusail City, which includes four lanes in each direction."

One of Al Gassar Interchange tunnels opened, connecting Lusail Expressway for those coming from West Bay heading left to Onazia Street, and the tunnel includes two lanes in one direction, with a length of 600m.

Ashghal said eight tunnels are now open to traffic out of nine included in the project, where the main tunnel at Al Gassar Interchange opened in March.

Next week will witness the opening of the other tunnel at Al Gassar Interchange for those heading from Lusail City and the Pearl on Lusail Expressway left to Katara, said the top official.
 
Lusail Expressway is an iconic architecture with characteristics inspired by the Qatari marine heritage vernacular, and blends Qatar’s past and future, given that it is the main expressway on the seafront that stretches over the northern coast of Doha City.

The blue wall panels that decorate the tunnels are inspired by the waves of the fishermen nets under the water, and all other design elements were chosen carefully, such as the lighting poles which will light in blue as well along the road.
 
The vast excavation and execution works of the multi-level tunnels and bridges in the project, as well as the construction of two marine bridges, was completely executed without interrupting traffic.

This is in addition to the excavation works that took place at a depth of 30 metres below ground surface along six kilometres, for integrated infrastructure to allow for electricity and drainage networks, and to allow for maintenance works without the need for more excavations in the future, said the statement from Ashghal.

In addition to building an underground metro tunnel which will cross under the marine bridge, it added.-TradeArabia News Service