The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is preparing to roll out two significant road infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity in the federal capital.
According to officials, one of the projects involves constructing a flyover and interchange on GT Road to provide direct access for traffic coming from the Lahore side to the Islamabad Expressway.
The second major development is strongly focusing on Shaheen Chowk, one of the city’s busiest intersections, where an underpass is planned to address daily traffic bottlenecks.
Shaheen Chowk project estimated cost of Rs 1.3 billion
For the Shaheen Chowk project, which is carrying an estimated cost of Rs 1.3 billion, technical bids were opened earlier this week.
The junction is located at the meeting point of Khayaban-i-Iqbal (Margalla Road) and 9th Avenue, is notorious for gridlocks during peak hours due to its proximity to several government offices and educational institutions.
Under the plan, traffic on 9th Avenue will pass through the underpass, while the top slab will connect the avenue with the service road, creating smoother traffic flow.
Read more: CDA approves Shaheen Chowk underpass at junction of 9th Avenue and Khayaban-e-Iqbal
GT road project estimates cost of Rs 1.4 billion
Similarly, the GT Road/T Chowk project, valued at around Rs 1.4 billion, has also moved a step forward, with technical bids opened a few days ago. Officials keep on saying that the two contractors are in the running for the GT Road project, while three have submitted bids for Shaheen Chowk. Once technical evaluations are completed, financial bids will be opened, paving the way for contract awards.
CDA Member Engineering, Syed Nafasat Raza, ratified that both projects are top priorities. “These initiatives are imperative for ensuring the smooth flow of traffic in Islamabad,” he said, adding that the Shaheen Chowk underpass is expected to be completed in 150 days, while the T Chowk interchange will take 180 days.
Several large-scale projects delivered by CDA recently
The CDA has already delivered several large-scale projects in recent months, including the Jinnah Square Serena Interchange, Murree Road underpass, and the F-8 interchange. Funding for the new ventures, officials explained, will be coming from revenue produced through recent auctions of commercial plots.
City planners and commuters are assuming that these projects as a critical step toward addressing Islamabad’s growing traffic woes and ensuring safer, faster commutes.