Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has invited contractors to bid for package six of the Doha Expressway road project.

The work for package six involves upgrading the existing East Industrial Road into six lanes as part of the new Doha Expressway. The 3.5 kilometre-long scheme will upgrade the existing road from the industrial roundabout to the junction of Al-Muntazah street.

The work will also involve the construction of two signalised grade separated interchanges and two overpass bridges. Companies have until the 11 April to submit bids for the road project.

Ashghal recently awarded US firm KBR a QR491.4m ($135m) contract to provide project management services for the Doha Expressway and other major road projects over the next five years. KBR will provide project management services for 29 major road projects, including the remaining packages of the Doha Expressway, planned for the Gulf state up to 2015.

The Doha Expressway is part of Ashghal’s plans to spend $20bn on developing Qatar’s roads and related drainage infrastructure up to 2015.

From 2011-12, the public works authority plans to tender 13 road projects that total 344km in length. This programme will include the 15km-long package 11 of the Doha Expressway and the 107km New Orbital Highway. From 2012-14, Doha plans to build new roads totalling 136km in length (MEED 11:2:11).