CDA says underpass, roundabout to open in July

Islamabad: Although a question mark continues to hang over increased cost of construction material that has impeded progress on the Faisal Avenue Flyover project, the underpass that form part of the mega structure and a round about would open to traffic this July.

Abdul Jabbar Melano, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) director-general (Works), said that work on the flyover would continue till the end of the year but the ‘barrel’ and the roundabout would become operational in July. “We will open the project partially,” he said.

He said the contractor would be compensated for escalation in prices of construction material. “The government is considering this and we are also taking this matter up with the CDA Board,” he said.

The Faisal Avenue that runs from Zero Point to the Faisal Mosque is one of the busiest roads in town and has for long borne the bulk of Islamabad’s traffic. Work on the flyover-cum-underpass began almost a year ago much to the disturbance of road users.

Deep excavation at the project site and the maze that it has become has caused considerable inconvenience to motorists for months. Delay in removal of underground service line, rains and row over costs have hampered work.

Melano said in the interest of the project, it was imperative that the contractor be provided relief for the soaring costs. He pointed out that the cost of iron had risen from Rs 40,000 to Rs 90,000 a tonne in a matter of months.

Zero Point Interchange: The CDA has technically sanctioned the Zero Point Interchange project and plans to issue a notice inviting tenders in the next couple of days. “We will give time of 15 to 20 days to the pre-qualified bidders for study of tender documents,” Melano said.

The Rs 2.27 billion interchange is dubbed ‘mother of all projects’ and has faced hiccups for months over design. Last month, the CDA announced it was finally ready to kick off the project in June.

The CDA has hired services of Col (R) Iqbal Haq, a National Highway Authority (NHA) consultant, for reviewing the design of the project that would be completed in 24 months.

The interchange would have three major loops of 90-metre radius and the facility would eventually solve the problem of traffic congestion as an estimated 300,000 cars pass through the intersection daily.

Melano said after reception of tenders by the second week of June, the bids would be scrutinised and forwarded to CDA chairman for clearance. “If all goes well, we will be able to start work in earnest in the last week of June,” he said.

New lanes on Islamabad Highway: Melano said new lanes on the Islamabad Highway from Koral to Lehtrar Interchange would be completed by late July.

“Despite problems with frequent VIP movement on this road, we are on track to open the new lanes to traffic,” he said.

The CDA is converting a stretch of the highway from Faizabad to Koral into an expressway by making it five-lane-a-side road. The plan is to make three of the outer lanes on each side rigid to facilitate Heavy Transport Vehicles.

“The progress has been quite satisfactory so far and work is being done without disturbing the flow of traffic. It will likely be completed in one year,” he said.

As part of the second phase of the project, the CDA intends to take up the section from Koral up to GT Road which would also be dealt with in a similar manner in the next fiscal year.

Kashmir Highway: In a bid to make Islamabad’s gateway attractive and to cater to a heavy load of traffic, the CDA plans to start work on expanding the Kashmir Highway this July.

“Although the contractors will be mobilising their machinery in June, work will begin in July after pre-bid meetings are held with the contractors,” Melano said.

Like the Zero Point Interchange, consultants would supervise this project, he said. “The plan is to widen the section from Peshawar Morr to GT Road from two to five-lanes-a-side,” he said.

Three of the lanes on each side