ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is set to start work on the final section of Margalla Avenue to connect it with the Peshawar Motorway (M-1).
The CDA has invited tenders for the construction of a 2.7-kilometre road. The project also includes building an interchange on GT Road.
At the end of Margalla Avenue near the Sangjani Grid Station, the National Highway Authority (NHA) will build another 2.5-kilometre section in Rawalpindi. This part will link the road to the M-1 near AWT Housing Society. The NHA has already awarded this contract to the National Logistic Cell at a cost of Rs4.1 billion.
A CDA official said technical bids for the Islamabad section will be opened on January 23. He added that once work begins, the project is expected to be completed within eight months.
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The project has been under discussion for the past five years. The PTI government had announced it earlier, but no work was started. Later, the CDA also made several announcements, but the project did not move forward.
Under the current plan, the CDA will construct a three-lane dual carriageway with two-lane service roads and a cloverleaf interchange. According to a CDA working paper, Margalla Avenue will give full benefit only after it is connected to the M-1.
Overall, the project includes a six-lane road and aims to provide an alternative route for people travelling between Islamabad and GT Road (N-5).
In 2021, then prime minister Imran Khan directed the CDA to build the Islamabad section, while the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) was assigned the Rawalpindi part. Later, the PDM government handed over the Rawalpindi section to the NHA.
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Meanwhile, reports said the CDA is also planning to invite bids for an underpass on Murree Road near Islamabad Club. An official said the design is in the final stage and bidding will start after it is approved.
Last year, the CDA completed 18 development projects, including five major road schemes. These included the Serena Interchange, Murree Road underpass, T-Chowk Flyover, expansion of Faizabad Interchange loops, F-8 Interchange and Shaheen Chowk underpass.
