Network expansion

The main Salwa Road between the Qatari capital Doha and the Saudi Arabian border is being expanded into a dual four-lane motorway.

To complete the 80 km road, which includes 11 major bridges, interchanges, access roads, animal, petrol and gas pipe underpasses, main contractor, United Engineers (Malaysia) Berhad (UEM) is using two Demag 145CS asphalt pavers, five Dynapac CC422s, two CC222 compaction rollers and seven Dynapac CP221 rubber-tyred rollers.

The asphalt is laid with three base course layers and a single top layer on the eight lanes. The top 65 mm layer is compacted to 50 mm, with paving in two 9.5 m wide passes using the 145CSs. To achieve 97% compaction the CC422's make two vibratory passes followed by two static passes. The CP221's are then used for finishing.