Rawalpindi: The Punjab government has initiated work on three new underpasses along Peshawar Road in a major move to ease traffic congestion and convert the key route into a signal-free corridor.
According to senior officials of the district administration, the underpasses will be constructed at Race Course Park, the army graveyard, and Chairing Cross. These projects follow the completion of the GPO underpass and Nawaz Sharif flyover.
The provincial government has allocated Rs2.6 billion for the Race Course Park underpass, Rs1.9 billion for the army graveyard underpass, and Rs1.5 billion for the Chairing Cross underpass in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2025–26. The Communication and Works Department is currently preparing the PC-I for each project, with physical work expected to begin after the monsoon season.
Officials said once these underpasses are completed, Mall Road and Peshawar Road will become fully signal-free from Kutchery Chowk to Motorway Chowk, significantly cutting down travel time for commuters.
In addition, the government is exploring plans to start construction on the long-delayed Kutchery Chowk underpass, although land acquisition remains a hurdle. A flyover in front of Jinnah Park, along Old Airport Road, is also in the pipeline. Both projects are expected to launch simultaneously once approvals are in place.
The signal-free corridor is part of a broader mobility initiative aimed at linking the Islamabad Expressway with Motorway Chowk via Peshawar Road — offering a smoother alternative to the congested Srinagar Highway and I.J. Principal Road.
Officials also confirmed that over 100 electric buses will soon operate across various routes in Rawalpindi, with this upgraded infrastructure playing a key role in supporting modern public transport. Once complete, the signal-free route from Rawat T-Chowk to Motorway Chowk will provide uninterrupted movement for both public and private vehicles, improving connectivity to the New Islamabad International Airport.
A consultant is expected to be hired by the end of July to finalize the PC-I documentation for these projects. The survey work is already underway, marking the first step towards a major transformation of Rawalpindi’s road network.
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