Sports R/A, the last of Qatar’s giant roundabouts, set to fall soon
How many of you remember the time when Qatar was filled with iconic roundabouts wherever you turned?
How many feel nostalgic about the adventure you had while negotiating the Oryx, Crazy, Parachute, Rainbow, VIP and Slope Roundabouts?
While signalised intersections are the way to go for easier movement of traffic, there is something sad about the fall of giant roundabouts around Qatar.
Sports roundabout, one of the last major roundabouts in Qatar, will soon be razed down and make way for a signal-controlled intersection, reported The Peninsula.
Qatar’s Public Works Authority Ashghal said work on this project will begin soon and is expected to be ready by this year itself.
First, the sculpture at the centre of the roundabout will be removed and work on the signal will begin in right earnest then, said Ashghal’s Assistant Director of Roads Projects Department Salem Al Shawi.
The project is a part of Ashghal’s massive QR59bn plans to make Qatar a modern country.
After project completion, the road’s capacity for main traffic will increase by 25% to 30% and by 100% for those turning left or making a U-turn% due to adding three dedicated lanes. The waiting time at the intersection will also be reduced by about 50%.
Here is a video QL did on the country’s last roundabouts.
Will you miss the roundabouts?
Image courtesy: The Peninsula
Signal on the sports roundabout will not help, until it is added up with an under pass.
Yes, the sculptures of Oryx, Parachute, Sports and others should be placed on the corniche near the Museum, and they should also write history thereon for the interest of tourists.
Why are they allowing so much buildings around the HMC.? It is so difficult to get there.... and find parking... there is not even a foot over bridge.. oh ya.. they have air ambulance :)
I commented just yesterday about how I miss the old Qatar roads and roundabouts; but this one roundabout I hate with every fiber of my being...it, along with the Center roundabout, should have been the first roundabout to go, considering the endless pain and hour long traffic bottlenecks it has given us over the past few years... Can't wait to see it gone,.,
i would like to make a suggestion, if Qatar government can build an overbridge to cross roads from Hamad General Hospital, WOmens Hospital to the Lulu Center side, it would be a great help for people who goes by walking and they can cross roads during heavy traffic.
Its Not Ancient ..so dont worry no History gone..New History can be made on same place..Better A flyover bridge to the traffic which is travelling to and from Shamal road.
Shame - More history gone. If only people knew how to negotiate roundabouts -
This was dream since 2 years..Just remove that Round about ..make people life ease