Skip to main content

New Doha highway under construction

Construction is now underway on the New Orbital Highway in Doha, Qatar. This project is called The New Orbital Highway contract 2 and is one of the largest projects being delivered through the Qatar’s public work authority Ashghal. The work consists of the design and construction of 47km of highway with a five-lane dual carriageway for light vehicles and two truck lanes in each direction. It also includes six viaducts, 17 bridges and underpasses and a 320m cut-and-cover tunnel. This last is particularly
March 18, 2016 Read time: 3 mins
The cutter drum is centrally mounted and extends past the machine’s tracks
Construction is now underway on the New Orbital Highway in Doha, Qatar. This project is called The New Orbital Highway contract 2 and is one of the largest projects being delivered through the Qatar’s public work authority Ashghal.

The work consists of the design and construction of 47km of highway with a five-lane dual carriageway for light vehicles and two truck lanes in each direction. It also includes six viaducts, 17 bridges and underpasses and a 320m cut-and-cover tunnel. This last is particularly complex and includes eight grade-separate interchanges with cross roads, collectors-distributors, overpass and underpass structures, pedestrian and bicycle paths and landscaping. Major infrastructure improvements will be built as part of the project, including a new and efficient storm water drainage network, as well as treated sewage effluent networks, electrical and telecommunication networks, street lighting and substations

The joint venture firm QDVC-Bin Omran is handling the US$1.6 billion contract and the work started in May 2014 while it is due for completion within 36 months.

QDVC is a Qatari company comprising local firm 3438 Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and French firm 3085 VINCI Construction Grands Projets. The relationship between 2342 Tesmec and QDVC started in September 2013, when QDVC used its first Tesmec machine (Tesmec model 1475 RH) for the construction of one of Doha’s subway stations.

QDVC was convinced with the quality of the machine and the level of service provided by the local Tesmec team. As a result, QDVC then opted to purchase three Tesmec 1475 RHs for its new project: the New Orbital Highway (NOH2). Subsequently, six more units have been purchased to increase QDVC’s Tesmec fleet to nine machines. All nine are currently excavating and levelling along the 47km route.
The units purchased by QDVC are eight Tesmec model 1475 RH (Rock Hawg) and one Tesmec model 1475 CS (chainsaw). The 1475 RH is a 110tonner powered by a C18 178 Caterpillar diesel delivering 470kW. The machine’s drum allows it to extract rock 3.81m wide and to a depth of 600mm.

This machine can be used to excavate rock in the conditions cost-effectively and productively, without the need for the use of explosives. Compared with blasting, mechanised cutting is a safe working method as the risk of flyrock is much reduced. From an environmental perspective any dust produced is localised (and can be controlled using water if required). Meanwhile the noise levels are low and continuous and there are no shock waves generated that can cause damage to buildings in the vicinity of the working area, so the machine can be used in urban areas with minimal disturbance.

Compared to other mechanical excavation methods (such as excavators with hydraulic rock breakers) the machine is said to be highly cost-effective. The equipment is said to be up to 15 times more productive in this type of application than a 25tonne class excavator fitted with rock cutting equipment.

The material produced by the cutting process is also uniform in size, making it easier to handle than the blasted rock produced when drilling and blasting. The cuttings are also suitable for use in backfilling or for road base applications, reducing costs with regard to buying or transporting materials to site.

Another benefit of the Rock Hawg is that the unit can be used to excavate vertical sidewalls due to the drum being wider than the machine’s own tracks. With the drum being centrally supported, the machine is also able to excavate rock with square corners so that the surface may not require any additional finishing.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Developments in road stabilisation machines
    February 14, 2012
    Road stabilisers play an important role for road recycling, with new machines coming to market - Mike Woof writes The reclaimer/stabiliser is becoming a much more important machine in roadbuilding applications now that the construction market is increasing its use of road recycling. The reclaimer/stabiliser used to be a niche machine offered by specialist manufacturers such as CMI, which was a pioneer of the concept. However in recent years this type of machine has become an important construction tool,
  • Advanced asphalt plants being developed
    April 7, 2017
    The Fayat Group is developing its asphalt plant range with its Marini-Ermont product offerings - Mike Woof writes The Fayat Group is a major player in the global asphalt plant sector with its Marini and Ermont brands and is further developing both product ranges. The latest machines have been designed to cater to a wide array of customer needs, from large, fixed high-production plants to its compact super portable units, as well as from high sophistication down to more basic technology for developing mar
  • European regulations for engine emissions are getting tougher
    January 4, 2013
    Emissions remain the focus for engine development but equipment manufacturers want clarity from regulators. Emissions remain a major challenge for the off-highway construction equipment market. The EU has tough targets in this respect and its objective is an overall reduction of CO2 emissions of 80-95% by the year 2050, compared to 1990 levels. There is considerable research already underway on how to reduce fuel consumption and to help ensure the security of energy supply. A number of industry sectors, suc
  • Foaming option
    July 16, 2012
    Foamed bitumen is a versatile and cost-effective tool in recycling roads - Mike Woof reports Wirtgen hopes to capitalise on the growing demand for materials recycling and its range of solutions for this sector has expanded considerably in recent times. The firm has been taking advantage of further developments in foamed bitumen technology to offer an array of cost-effective road repair solutions. The range allows this material to be used in array of cold recycling applications and Wirtgen also offers labora