Sohan interchange to be a ‘gift’ of New Year

Islamabad : Sohan interchange which is part of the Islamabad Expressway signal free corridor will be opened for traffic with the advent of the New Year.

Mayor of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) and Chairman Capital Development Authority CDA Sheikh Anser Aziz who visited site of the project on Saturday directed the concerned formations to partially open the Sohan Interchange for traffic from January 1, 2018 to facilitate the commuters of twin cities on Islamabad Expressway Signal free corridor. On this occasion, Member Engineering, Asad Mehboob Kiyani, officers of concerned formations and Project Director Sohan Interchange and Khanna Interchange, Mumtaz Hussain were also present.

He said that Islamabad Expressway Signal Free Corridor is one of the most important projects of the federal capital, adding that the development work remained slow because of the Faizabad sit-in and VVIP traffic movements. CDA chairman instructed to work around the clock in three shifts and accordingly additional manpower and heavy machinery be deployed to complete the work in stipulated time.

Mayor of Islamabad also visited the Khanna Interchange and inspected the ongoing development activities.

He directed Director General (E&M) to ensure installation of electric poles. He also directed the Environment Wing for beautiful landscaping work and tree plantation on both sides of the interchange and complete the work before the completion of interchange. Mayor of Islamabad directed the concerned formation for construction of concrete fence, new Jerry barriers around the graveyards to stop illegal expansion. Furthermore, instructed to establish a park like Katchnar Park and beautiful landscaping so that the people from adjoining areas could visit and participate in healthy activities in the park.

He strictly directed the concerned formation for early completion of development work on the project so that the commuters could enjoy the best facilities of Islamabad Expressway Signal Free Corridor from Zero Point to Koral Interchange. He said that as the work on Koral Interchange has already been completed; adding that with the completion of both the interchanges, busiest part of the Islamabad Expressway would be signal free for the public.

He said that being part of the Islamabad Expressway Signal Free Corridor, the authority has also chalked out a comprehensive plan for commencement of development work from Koral Interchange to Rawat in the next phase.

He said that signal free corridor is the best facility for the people coming from other parts of the country as well as for the people from adjoining areas of the Federal Capital.

Giving briefing on the project costing Rs2 billion, the project director said that lanes each carriageway flyover bridge have been constructed on Sohan Interchange with two loops, two link roads and 10 culverts. Construction of Service Road (East) and Service Road (West) along the interchange is also part of the project. He was also informed that work on installation of electric poles on the interchange is in progress. 80 poles have been installed while 250 poles are available on site for installation.

The project director informed that a flyover bridge with six lane Carriageway Bridge is under construction and girds required for the bridge are already completed for Khanna Interchange. Furthermore, earth work on four loops, four link roads and Service Road (East and West) is near completion. Mayor of Islamabad was informed that in line with his directions, two underpasses at Service Road (East and West) are being constructed to ease the heavy flow of traffic on Expressway.