Work Starts on Three New Underpasses in Rawalpindi

Initial work has begun on the construction of three underpasses along Peshawar Road after the completion of pile-load testing, marking progress on one of Rawalpindi’s major traffic improvement projects.

Punjab Highway Department officials confirmed that full-scale construction at Race Course Park, Army Graveyard, and Chairing Cross will start next month. Authorities have imposed Section 4 along the stretch from Race Course Park to Chairing Cross to restrict land transactions ahead of acquisition.

Officials said utility relocation will begin shortly, including the removal of electricity transmission pylons located along the median of Peshawar Road.

Departments including IESCO, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, PTCL, and the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board have submitted their requirements for shifting services, while the highway department has started reviewing the demands before releasing funds.

The government has awarded the project to the Frontier Works Organization under a government-to-government arrangement. Officials expect to issue formal work orders in December and complete construction within three months.

The underpasses form part of Punjab’s Rs. 30 billion signal-free corridor project. Traffic surveys show that more than 250,000 vehicles use this section of Peshawar Road daily, causing frequent congestion at these intersections.

Authorities said the project will significantly reduce travel time between District Courts and Motorway Chowk and help ease traffic gridlocks. Officials added that improved road flow will also support future electric bus operations along the corridor.