With the monsoon season less than a month away, construction work on three planned underpasses along Peshawar Road has yet to formally begin, raising concerns about potential delays to Rawalpindi’s ambitious signal-free corridor project.
The underpasses, planned at Race Course Park, Army Graveyard, and Chairing Cross, form a key part of a 25-kilometre signal-free corridor connecting the Islamabad Expressway with Motorway Chowk.
The project aims to reduce travel time between the two points to just 15 to 20 minutes.
Officials, however, said preparatory work is already underway, and full-scale construction is expected to begin within the next one to two weeks.
Construction experts have expressed concern that beginning excavation work so close to the monsoon season could create challenges for contractors.
Heavy rainfall often leads to water accumulation in excavation sites, slowing construction activities and increasing project costs.
Experts noted that road and infrastructure projects are generally avoided during peak monsoon periods because rain can disrupt machinery operations and force contractors to repeat certain stages of work.
A senior district administration official said work on drainage systems and alternative road networks near Qasim Market and Race Course Park has already started.
According to the official, authorities want to complete essential preparatory works, including service roads and drainage improvements, before commencing excavation for the underpasses to minimize disruption from seasonal rains.
The official added that once construction begins, the underpasses are expected to be completed within two months.
Authorities have directed traffic police to prepare a traffic management plan to facilitate commuters during construction.
Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board has been tasked with repairing and improving alternative routes, including Transit Camp Road, Bakery Chowk, and the road linking Army Public School with Chairing Cross.
Officials also confirmed that utility relocation work along the corridor, including gas pipelines, telephone lines, and electricity infrastructure, has already been completed from Race Course to Qadir Motors Stop.
The signal-free corridor project has already achieved significant milestones. The General Post Office Chowk project was completed last year, while the Kutchery Chowk remodeling scheme was finished in May.
Punjab Highway Department Executive Engineer Qamar Saqib said all preliminary work for the new underpasses has been completed, and construction will begin shortly.
He stressed that the underpasses are essential for creating a seamless signal-free route linking Rawalpindi with the motorway network.
Officials expect the remaining underpasses to be completed during
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