​Despite the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) around the world impacting the construction industry globally, the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announced that its roads and subdivision projects are on track and within the planned delivery progress rates. Ashghal’s ability to maintain such progress to plan reflects its agility and resilience during the current exceptional conditions.

Eng. Saoud Al Tamimi, Manager of the Roads Projects Department at Ashghal said: “We took a series of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) both in the construction project sites/offices as well as in the accommodation facilities. We implemented emergency plans with our contractors and consultants and thankfully, with the great commitment of our team, I can say that 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. This goal could not have been achieved without the concerted efforts and continuous coordination of all workers in Ashghal.”

Eng. Al Tamimi pointed out that 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. 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. In May, 9 new contracts for Citizens’ Subdivision Infrastructure Projects were signed at a value of QR 3.6 Billion. Al Nasr Street and Al Mirqab Al Jadeed Street were opened for public use, in addition the Public Works Authority 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.

Eng. Al Tamimi added: “In July, Ashghal also announced the completion of main upgrading works on the intersection known as Al Tarfa Intersection and its infrastructure service utilities, in addition to the construction of new service roads. Further to that, upgrading works on the roundabouts known as Muaither Sports Club and Plastic Roundabouts on Al Sailiya Road have started along with works on Roads and Infrastructure Project in Al Kharaitiyat and Izghawa - Package 2, and the start of Roads & Infrastructure Project in Al Egda Al Heedan and Al Khor- Package 1. Moreover, progress on the first phase of Roads and Infrastructure in West of Muaither Package 3 has reached 60%. August was marked by the completion of the main upgrading works on Umm Al Dome, Al Muaither, and Al Ennabi Streets along with three signalized intersections and their opening to traffic, in addition to the completion of the connecting and surrounding roads to Al Wakrah Central Market. Further to that, we announced the commencement of works on package 7 of the Roads and Infrastructure Development Project in South of Al Meshaf, and the development works on Al-Sadd Intersection, as well as the start of Roads and Infrastructure Project in Al Ebb and Leabaib – Package 4. Currently, we are gearing up to progress on the construction works of the roads surrounding the central market in Umm Slal Area, where the progress of works has reached 85% 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 the progress rate has reached 75%. It is worth mentioning that during the past few months, several roads were opened to serve petrol stations in various areas of the country.”

Eng. Al Tamimi also said: “Even though the current number of the active COVID-19 positive cases are reducing, we are still continuing with all the actions that were implemented during the peak stage in May and June 2020. 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 the government precautionary measures and to protect our employees and the total supply chain workforce. The focus now is on the lessons learned from such an impactful experience and the importance of keeping our crisis management and contingency plans always updated and ready for activation. In addition, we are considering the new ways of work that COVID-19 pandemic has imposed on us which have proved to be efficient to adopt for the long run”.

It is worth mentioning that 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 Crisis Management Team at RPD monitored every COVID-19 development and provided timely advices and instructions, which in effect promoted and supported the State of Qatar’s successful ‘STOP the pandemic’ campaign.

Another evidence on the success of Ashghal’s actions to limit the spread of the pandemic and keep its projects progressing as planned comes from the roads and subdivision projects Key Performance Indicators system that was revamped in 2018. The system, that tracks performance on almost every non-delivery aspect, proves that performance on health & safety, environment & sustainability and quality management has achieved and exceeded the targets set.

Eng. Al Tamimi thanked everyone at Ashghal and the entire supply chain in stepping up to the challenge and contributing their part to not only containing the COVID-19 situation effectively, but also in supporting to ensure continued delivery of the projects as per the plans.