Islamabad’s CDA has expanded the Shaheen Chowk underpass design, adding length, lanes and U-turns to ease traffic at 9th Avenue and Khyaban-e-Iqbal while keeping costs within limits.
A Bigger, Smarter Design for a Busy Intersection
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has approved major design changes to the ongoing Shaheen Chowk underpass project in Islamabad, expanding its size and traffic capacity while construction continues. The project is located at the busy intersection of 9th Avenue and Khyaban-e-Iqbal, a junction that has long been a bottleneck for daily commuters.
Officials say the decision to redesign while work is still in progress is aimed at avoiding future congestion and ensuring that the underpass can handle expected traffic growth. Instead of waiting until after completion to correct shortcomings, the CDA has opted to build a more efficient structure from the outset.
Key Design Changes: Longer Barrel, Extra Lane and New U-Turns
One of the biggest changes is the increase in the length of the underpass barrel from 56 metres to 85 metres. By extending the barrel, engineers aim to provide smoother vehicular flow and reduce the stop-start traffic that often builds up near underpass entry and exit points.
The roundabout above the underpass is also being reconfigured. An extra lane is being added to improve circulation and reduce queuing at peak hours. In addition, two new U-turns are being incorporated into the design, giving motorists quicker access from multiple directions. These U-turns are expected to cut down on unsafe turns and awkward detours, especially for drivers who need to change direction along 9th Avenue or Khyaban-e-Iqbal.
A CDA official has emphasised that the changes are based on updated traffic studies and are meant to future-proof the junction. With growing traffic volumes from nearby residential and commercial areas, the original plan was considered too limited for long-term needs.
Cost Revisions Within PPRA Limits
According to the CDA, the approved amendments fall within the permissible 15 percent cost-revision limit set by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). This means that while the project has been upgraded in terms of design and capacity, it has not crossed the threshold that would require a complete re-tendering process.
The official added that any further additions – such as minor road adjustments, changes to connecting streets or service-road improvements – will be handled through separate small tenders. This approach is intended to keep the main contract compliant while still allowing flexibility to address local traffic issues around the underpass once the core structure is in place.
By staying within the PPRA’s 15 percent revision window and using small follow-up works where necessary, the CDA hopes to balance transparency with the practical need to fine-tune major infrastructure projects as they take shape.
Timeline, Budget and Expected Impact on Traffic
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif laid the foundation stone of the Rs. 1.3 billion Shaheen Chowk underpass on 24 October. The original PC-I document set April as the completion timeline. However, CDA officials now say that rapid construction progress has put the project ahead of schedule, even after factoring in the new design changes.
Once complete, the underpass is expected to significantly improve traffic movement along 9th Avenue and Khyaban-e-Iqbal. Through-traffic using the underpass will be able to bypass the roundabout altogether, reducing delays for long-distance commuters, while the reworked roundabout and U-turns will streamline local movements in and out of nearby sectors.
For motorists who currently face daily congestion at Shaheen Chowk, the revised design promises shorter travel times, fewer bottlenecks and a safer, more predictable flow of vehicles. The CDA says the project is part of a broader effort to upgrade Islamabad’s road infrastructure in line with the city’s expanding population and growing number of vehicles.
