Minister of Transport Jassim bin Seif Ahmed Al Sulaiti told the annual Qatar transport conference that Qatar has allocated 95% of its infrastructure investment to road transport, The Peninsula said.
This is in addition to existing and completed transport projects including the Hamad international airport, which is the largest new airport in the Middle East, and the Hamad port which will begin operation before the end of the year, Al Suliati said, according to the report.
The Doha Metro project is the largest mass transport project in the Middle East, and the country is preparing to start work on a long-haul train linking Qatar to the Gulf Cooperation Council region rail network, for both passengers and goods, Al Suliati said.
Secretary general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Hassan Al Thawadi told the conference that, with the Qatar 2022 World Cup only seven years away, he is keen to work with all organisations in the transport sector to put plans in place to make sure transport is "smooth and easy" for visitors.
In April, The Peninsula reported that Qatar's Public Works Authority, Ashghal, would spend QR10 billion (US$2.74 billion) on infrastructure developments at Al Wakra and Mesaieed in the south of the country, including a 22km 'East West Corridor' dual carriageway linking Hamad International Airport to the New Orbital highway and truck route, with five lanes in each direction and eight interchanges giving new links to main roads and residential areas.
Infrastructure improvements will also include storm water drainage, sewage treatment, electrical, telecommunications and surveillance networks, street lighting and dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, the Peninsula said.
