CDA decides to proceed with expansion of existing loops of Faizabad Interchange

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to shelve its ambitious plan to completely overhaul the Faizabad Interchange, one of the busiest traffic junctions of the twin cities.

Instead, the civic body will move ahead with a more practical solution — expansion of the existing loops — in hopes of easing traffic congestion without launching a multi-billion-rupee project. 

Officials confirmed that tenders for loop expansion had already been floated and bids were opened. While CDA briefly considered a full redesign of the interchange and even hired a consultant to prepare the design, the authority ultimately concluded that widening and extending the loops would provide meaningful relief at a fraction of the cost. 

“By expanding two main loops on the Expressway — one used by Lahore-bound traffic — we can significantly reduce traffic snarls at Faizabad,” a CDA engineer explained. 

Weaving distance between two loops causing traffic conflicts 

Currently, the weaving distance between these two loops is just 90 metres, causing frequent traffic conflicts. The new design will extend this distance to 272 metres by increasing the radius, making it easier for vehicles to merge safely. 

Read more: Options like flyover, flyover with underpass, or new slip roads considered for Faizabad Interchange

The full overhaul project was estimated to cost Rs3.5 billion, but the loop expansion will be completed for around Rs200 million. The contract has been awarded, machinery is being mobilised, and work is expected to finish within three months. 

Future Plans Still on the Table 

Officials kept on clarifying that shelving the mega project doesn’t mean it has been abandoned entirely. With the redesign already in hand, CDA now has three long-term options that could be pursued in the future if needed. 

Furthermore, the authority is also weighing a plan to widen three slip roads around the interchange. These include connections from Zero Point to Faizabad, from the Expressway to Club Road/Murree Road, and from Murree Road/Khanapul to the Expressway. At present, these slip roads are only seven metres wide, which leads to bottlenecks. 

It was built in the 1990s, the Faizabad Interchange remains a critical link between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as a symbolic hub where major protests often unfold. CDA officials said this smaller but targeted intervention is anticipated to provide immediate relief to commuters while keeping bigger expansion options open for the future.