Another signal-free corridor in the pipeline

LAHORE: To control the increased traffic influx around city’s biggest shopping mall in Johar Town, Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has decided to reconstruct the double road linking Expo Centre with Canal Bank Road into a signal-free corridor.

Sources in LDA revealed that the estimated project cost will be Rs375.873 million and funds for this scheme will be provided from LDA’s already approved scheme Twin Tower Project on Jail Road, which was delayed due to some other reasons.

Sources said scheme’s name is Transformation of Abdul Haque Road into Signal-Free Corridor from UBD Canal to Southern by-pass and its salient features included three protected U-turns, rehabilitation of main carriageways, provision of road drainage, installation of road safety devices, provision of LED lights and landscaping and horticulture along the road.

“Abdul Haque Road connecting UBD Canal at hospital junction up to Southern by-pass near Expo Centre, stretches across the central part of Johar Town in a length of 3.3km. This road is serving as a key access to financial and business district of Southern Lahore.

Besides the presence of a large number of brand outlets, restaurants and hotels, Expo Centre and Emporium Mall are the main attractions on this road due to which traffic flow has increased to manifold.

Mazhar Khan, LDA Chief Engineer said that due to overburdened traffic, existing road pavement structure has deteriorated offering poor serviceability to the commuters. He said the situation is worst during peak hours at intersections, including Khokhar Chowk, G-1 Market and hospital crossing creating abnormal delays and inconvenience to public.

“To address this situation, TEPA has planned to implement traffic management plan through transforming this road into a signal-free corridor by providing protected U-turns at three locations, eliminating existing traffic signal at Khokhar Chowk and closing all existing openings in the central median at intermediate intersections,” he revealed and added that work will be started on this project very soon.

Meanwhile, LDA has intended to utilise 130 kanal vacant land adjacent to Arfa Karim Tower on Ferozpur Road. The land went vacant after shifting of fruit and vegetable market. A senior LDA official said the authority intends to construct state-of-the-art multipurpose high rise complex at the vacant land.

He revealed that the complex will include office tower with seminar/convention halls, community centre, indoor sports facilities and gym, recreational swimming pool, food courts, banquet halls, cinemas and theatres and parking facilities.

LDA chief engineer said the project cost is roughly estimated to the tune of Rs9 billion, which included tentative consultancy cost. He said LDA intended to start the project for which, as first step, architectural and structural consultant will be hired in accordance with the P&D guidelines for selection of consultancy services. The case has been placed before the Authority and the plan will be funded through LDA’s own sources, he concluded.