DOHA: Despite Covid-19 around the world impacting the construction sector, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced its roads and subdivision projects are on track and within the planned delivery progress rates.
Saoud Al Tamimi, Manager, Roads Projects Department, Ashghal, said: “We took a series of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus both in construction project sites and offices as well as in accommodation facilities.”
He added: “We implemented emergency plans with our contractors and consultants and I can say we have successfully managed to maintain delivery and business continuity while strictly adhering to the regularly updated health, safety, worker’s welfare and wellness related guidelines and legal requirements by the competent authorities.”
Major accomplishments
He pointed out some major accomplishments were realised during the pandemic. “In April, Ashghal announced the completion of the roads leading to workers’ accommodation in West of Umm Slal Area and the completion of infrastructure works and upgrading works on Street 1400 and Street 300 in Abal Heeran Area and their opening to traffic, in addition to delivering a road network providing access to Al Sailiya Central Market,” he said.
“Besides, Ashghal also announced the completion of construction works of the main tunnel for the foul sewer network serving eight northern areas and Al Rayyan Stadium and connecting it to the main Pump Station. Additionally, April witnessed the completion of cars and buses parking areas to serve several Q-rail stations such as Al Gassa, Education City and Al Wakrah,” said Al Tamimi.
New contracts
The official stated: “On May 9, new contracts for Citizens’ Subdivision Infrastructure Projects were signed at a value of QR3.6 billion. Al Nasr Street and Al Mirqab Al Jadeed Street were opened for public use. In addition, Ashghal announced the commencement of West Simaisma’s Road and Infrastructure Development Project – Package 1. In June, Al Jazira Al Arabiya Street and Al Tarfa Intersection were both opened to traffic along with the completion of works on Al Rayyan stadium car parking area.”
Al Tamimi added: “In July, Ashghal also announced the completion of main upgrading works on Al Tarfa Intersection and its infrastructure service utilities, in addition to the construction of new service roads.”
He said: “Further to that, upgrading works on the Muaither Sports Club and Plastic Roundabouts on Al Sailiya Road have started along with works on the roads and infrastructure projects in Al Kharaitiyat and Izghawa – Package 2 and the start of roads and infrastructure projects in Al Egda Al Heedan and Al Khor- Package 1.”
Project progress
The official said: “Moreover, progress on the first phase of roads and infrastructure in West of Muaither Package 3 has reached 60 per cent. August was marked by the completion of the main upgrading works on Umm Al Dome, Al Muaither and Al Ennabi streets along with three signallised intersections and their opening to traffic, in addition to the completion of the connecting and surrounding roads to Al Wakrah Central Market.”
Al Tamimi said: “We announced the commencement of works on Package 7 of the roads and infrastructure development project south of Al Meshaf and the development works on Al Sadd Intersection, as well as the start of the roads and infrastructure project in Al Ebb and Leabaib – Package 4.”
He stated: “Currently, we are gearing up to progress on the construction works of the roads surrounding the central market in Umm Slal Area, where progress has reached 85 per cent and the progress on the construction works of the roads surrounding the new building of the Immigration Office of the Ministry of Interior in Wadi Al Banat Area, where progress has reached 75 per cent.”
Health and safety
Al Tamimi said: “The health and safety team of the Roads Projects Department (RPD) had to review and update the health and safety policies and protocols in the context of Covid-19 updates in order to ensure compliance with government precautionary measures and to protect our employees and the total supply chain workforce.”
All projects and organisations in Ashghal’s RPD supply chain have developed and implemented a project-specific ‘Outbreak contingency response and management plans’ with detailed actions. The RPD crisis management ream monitored every Covid-19 development and provided timely advice and instructions.