The Kashmir Chowk underpass has been completed in a record 27 days and will open to traffic on Thursday, November 5. Around 6,000 new trees and plants have also been added around the project.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the completion of the project in a Facebook post. He said the underpass would be opened to the public on Thursday.
What is the exact location?
The underpass has been built on Murree Road near Islamabad Club. The area is also known as Dhokri Chowk.
Around 107,000 vehicles pass through this busy point every day. Traffic jams and delays were common during busy hours.
How much did the project cost?
According to the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the project cost Rs1.4 billion. The initial estimated cost was Rs1.6 billion.
The project includes the underpass and four new slip roads to improve traffic flow in the area.
How will the new traffic system work?
Vehicles coming from Serena Hotel will use the underpass to travel towards Faizabad. Traffic coming from Faizabad will use the upper road to move towards Murree.
The project aims to reduce traffic pressure at Kashmir Chowk and make travel between Islamabad and Rawalpindi easier.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf visited the site several times to review the construction work.
The CDA had planned to complete the project within one month. However, the construction was finished in just 27 days, ahead of schedule.
Islamabad closes Rawal Dam Chowk–Kashmir Chowk road
Islamabad Traffic Police had previously announced the complete closure of the road from Rawal Dam Chowk to Kashmir Chowk until further notice.
The traffic police had advised citizens to leave their homes 20 to 25 minutes earlier than usual to avoid delays and reach their destinations on time.
