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

  • Importance of road/tunnel drainage systems
    May 8, 2012
    A variety of systems are available for quickly and efficiently removing water from roads as Patrick Smith reports. The presence of water in a highway layer reduces the bearing capacity of the road, and in doing so it also reduces the structure's lifetime. Indeed, the recent extremely cold winter in many parts of Europe has shown that in colder climates there is a risk of frost damage when water is present resulting in costly potholes, so drainage systems performing properly are important in road design.
  • Self-healing roads, slippery roads and slimmer roads
    November 24, 2017
    This month’s bitumen technology pages bring you self-healing roads, slippery roads and slimmer roads and explains why one UK contractor has started manufacturing its own polymer modified bitumen - Kristina Smith reports. Professor Erik Schlangen, who heads up experimental micromechanics at the Delft University of Technology is receiving calls from all round the world these days. And it is hardly surprising because he and his team have invented a great new technology: asphalt that heals itself.
  • Volvo CE’s latest asphalt compactor offers oscillation
    October 2, 2018
    Volvo CE is expanding its offering for the asphalt compaction market with the availability of a new model that features oscillation. The firm says that the DD 105 OSC is first of a new generation of double drum asphalt compactors from the firm that it says have been developed to deliver high compaction performance while offering a low fuel consumption. Offering oscillation type compaction is a major development for Volvo CE, a package that broadens the firm’s road machinery range. The advantage of the osci
  • Flyover replacement
    February 22, 2012
    French contractor DSD Démolition was one of three firms that worked on the recent demolition of the A55 highway flyover in Marseilles, France. The 20-year-old flyover stood near the harbour and formed part of a main route through Marseille leading to Lyon and Avignon. However, it was an ugly structure and spoiled the city's landscape so as part of the wider regeneration taking part in Marseille's harbour, the 1.3km bridge had to be demolished within three months. DSD Démolition had two operators for each of