Qatar will be investing approximately QR45 billion ($12.36 billion) on improving and creating road networks during the period between 2011-2015, a report said.

The total value of ongoing road projects in the GCC was an estimated QR65 billion at the end of June 2011, of which Qatar has a 22 per cent share, valued at QR14.3 billion, a Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) report was quoted as saying by an International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC) Middle East statement.

The estimated value of GCC projects announced for the period between 2011 - 2015 amounts to QR211 billion.

The GCC has historically focused its transportation investments in building roadways, thus ensuring the delivery of high-quality road networks across most of the region.

Almost 100 percent of the roads in the GCC are paved; compared to the below 75 per cent average in other emerging countries.

For the coming five-year period, Qatar will overtake the UAE in terms of planned investments, the report said. Qatar, which has 7,790km of road and traffic density of 78 motor vehicles per kilometre of road will be investing approximately QR45 billion on improving and creating road networks.

According to a report published by the Urban Planning Council under the PWA, QR70 billion will be spent over the next eight years to create a flawless road system, drainage and other required facilities to push the economic growth of Qatar.

Project No 17 in Al Wakrah and Wukair, according to Qatar’s Transport Master Plan, appears to be the most significant road project which will link Al Wakrah with Doha through a 24-km metallic road with an estimated budget of QR1 billion.

Other prominent road projects include the Doha Expressway, located in the south of Doha, which links southern and western parts of Doha plus New Doha International Airport, Al Wakra and Mesaieed.

Designing and planning safer road networks to accommodate future population growth will be discussed by Yassin Ibrahim Askar, manager of the Expressway Department at Qatar Public Works Authority, Ashghal at the 2nd Annual Road Planning, Design and Construction Middle East at the Oryx Rotana in Doha from March 11-14, 2012.

In addition, for the first time Ademola Illori, road safety expert from Qatar Traffic Department, will be present to explore efficient methods to improve road safety practices.

Senior representatives from key transport and road authorities and organisations throughout the Middle East including Ministry of Works Bahrain, Ministry of Public Works & Housing, Jordan, Ministry of Public Works, UAE, Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai, Mowasalat, QU Wireless Innovations Center (QUWIC), Qatar Society of Engineers, International Road Federation, International Road Transport Union, United Nations PPP-Readiness Task Force and Texas A&M University at Qatar will discuss about delivering world class road infrastructure. - TradeArabia News Service