Paths To Success

The government has allocated 40% of its budget through 2016 to infrastructure projects, including $11 billion on the next phase of Hamad International Airport, $5.5 billion on the New Doha Deep Water seaport, and $12.36 billion on improving existing and creating new road networks. Ashghal, the Qatari Public Works Authority, is one of the key national agencies supervising infrastructure development, including but not limited to roads and transport related building projects. Ashghal has been driving an unprecedented transport infrastructure boom in the last few years to help Qatar achieve its QNV 2030, in which Qatar seeks to transform itself into a world-class business, sports and tourism hub. Originally looking to 2030, Ashghal’s timetable to successfully complete these world-class megaprojects has been accelerated with the 2022 World Cup nation host award.

… BY AIR

In order to handle this rate of development within Qatar, Ashghal is developing a fully integrated multimodal transportation system in line with QNV 2030 and Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-16. The government has made investment in the country’s transport infrastructure a top priority for the next decade. And with some $70 billion worth of projects already planned, the sector will be the largest source of project opportunities. One of the most noteworthy projects has been the Hamad International Airport, Phase 1 of which opened in 2014. Akbar Al Baker, GCEO for Qatar Airways, tells TBY that; “Hamad International Airport has distinguished itself as a world-class airport and a key global hub.” The airport currently hosts 41 gates and boasts a capacity of up to 30 million passengers per year.

… BY LAND

Qatar is allocating approximately $12.5 billion on improving and creating road networks in the country by 2016. Over 29 road projects have been announced for Qatar in 2015. Qatar’s ongoing major road projects include: Lusail Expressway Package 2, Orbital Highway and Truck Road, the Ras Laffan to Mesaieed Expressway, the Dukhan Highway, Doha Bay Crossing, Road Interchanges for the Al Khor Expressway and Doha Expressway. This integrated roads plan will provide transportation links across Qatar connecting key cities and towns with high-quality national freeways and urban arterial routes. This national Expressway Program will deliver over 900 km of new roads and an array of underpasses, flyovers and multi-level interchanges to cut down on traffic and deliver improved journey times. It is a seven-year program (2010-2017) delivering 240 major interchanges ranging from conventional traffic lights, to four level interchanges with tunnels and flyovers with more than 30 major projects to be delivered. There are new and upgraded freeways, expressways, and arterial roads across Qatar.

Another related roads megaproject that has drawn great attention is The Sharq Crossing—also known as the Doha Bay Crossing—a 12-km series of underwater tunnels and bridges connecting the new Hamad International Airport, Katara Cultural Village, and the West Bay financial district in Qatar. When completed in 2015 the project will see the delivery of three bridges known as West Bay Bridge, Cultural City Bridge, and the Al Sharq Bridge, all designed by world-famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and linked by 8 km of undersea tunnels. The Sharq Crossing will be capable of handling an estimated 6,000 vehicles per hour.

Work also continues on the Qatar-Bahrain causeway, referred to as the Qatar Bahrain Friendship Bridge, which was approved in 2005. Estimated funds of $4.5 billion were raised to implement the project, which has suffered repeated delays. The causeway is expected to be used by 4,000 cars daily in the first year and up to 5,000 cars within the following year. The project has undergone changes since its conception including plans for two new railway tracks running alongside the bridge.

… BY RAIL

The Qatar Rail Development Program (QRDP) envisions the development of a long distance passenger and freight rail network to connect major centers of population and industry in Qatar and to form part of the planned GCC railway network, linking the six countries of the bloc. The QRDP long distance rail network also coincides with the national transportation objectives and requirements laid out in the Qatar National Development Framework (QNDF) and QNV 2030 planning frameworks.

These developments will stimulate the domestic economy and create substantial opportunities for both Qatari and foreign businesses. The combined Doha metro extensions when added to the planned rail projects will be worth an estimated $29 billion. These projects will be implemented in three phases with completion scheduled for 2022.

… BY SEA

In 2007 His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani announced the plans for one of the largest port developments in the world. Located south of Doha, the $7.4 billion megaproject, which includes a new port, a new base for the Qatari Navy, and an affiliated economic zone, will occupy a 27-square-kilometer area. HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport for the State of Qatar, tells TBY that: “The new port will provide increased throughput with a capacity for 2 million containers per year, eventually increasing to over 6 million. This will then be supported by transshipment links by rail, sea, and road to the region.

“An economic zone adjacent to the new port will facilitate manufacturing industries and position the nation to increase its non-oil and gas exports. The Ministry is also working with stakeholders to increase tourism through international cruise ship visits to Doha.” The Qatar Tourism Authority plans to invest nearly $20 billion on tourism infrastructure as the number of tourist arrivals grows at a rate of 15.9% compounded annually, projected to reach 3.7 million by 2022. This growth also creates opportunities for the development of commercial and business prospects, such as various shopping malls and industrial parks around the country.