CDA has floated a tender to build the last 2.7km stretch of Margalla Avenue, linking it to M-1 with a new GT Road interchange and three-lane dual carriageway.
Last Stretch of Margalla Avenue Moves Ahead
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has taken a key step toward completing Margalla Avenue by issuing a tender for the final 2.7-kilometre stretch that will connect the road directly to the Peshawar Motorway (M-1). Once finished, this missing link will finally turn Margalla Avenue into a continuous corridor, easing traffic for thousands of commuters every day.
According to CDA officials, the new contract will cover not only the road section but also a major interchange on GT Road. Technical bids are scheduled to be opened on 23 January, after which the authority expects construction to move quickly. The targeted completion time for the project is around eight months once physical work begins on site.
Key Design Features of the New Road Section
As per CDA documents, the planned section of Margalla Avenue will be built as a three-lane dual carriageway, providing six main lanes for fast-moving traffic. In addition, there will be two-lane service roads on both sides to handle local traffic, access to nearby areas and entry to the main carriageway.
A cloverleaf-style interchange is proposed at GT Road (N-5), designed to allow smooth, signal-free movement between Margalla Avenue, GT Road and the motorway link. This design should reduce congestion at junction points and make it easier for vehicles to shift between long-distance and city routes.
Coordination With NHA on the Rawalpindi Side
The CDA project is part of a larger connectivity plan that also involves the National Highway Authority (NHA). At the Sangjani Grid Station end, NHA is responsible for building a separate 2.5-kilometre stretch within Rawalpindi’s limits. This section will connect to M-1 and complete the link from the motorway to Islamabad’s internal road network.
NHA has already awarded the Rawalpindi-side contract to the National Logistics Cell (NLC) at an estimated cost of Rs4.1 billion. Once both CDA and NHA finish their respective portions, commuters will be able to use Margalla Avenue as a continuous alternative corridor to GT Road and other major routes.
Benefits for Commuters and Traffic Flow in Islamabad
CDA officials have repeatedly stated that Margalla Avenue will deliver its full benefit only after it is directly connected to the motorway. The completed corridor is expected to serve as a crucial alternative route for traffic moving between Islamabad, GT Road (N-5) and the motorway network.
By diverting a share of vehicles away from already congested roads, the new link should help reduce travel time, ease pressure on existing interchanges and provide better access for residents of northern and western sectors of the capital. Heavy vehicles and long-distance travellers will also gain a more direct route that avoids busy inner-city arteries.
CDA’s Wider Development Portfolio and Future Plans
The tender for the final section of Margalla Avenue comes as CDA highlights progress on a broader list of infrastructure projects. According to the authority, 18 development schemes were completed last year, including several major road projects across Islamabad.
Looking ahead, CDA is also preparing to invite bids for an underpass near Islamabad Club on Murree Road, once its design is finalised. This planned underpass is aimed at further improving traffic flow on one of the capital’s busiest corridors.
Together, the completion of Margalla Avenue, new interchanges and additional underpasses form part of a wider effort to modernise Islamabad’s road network. For daily commuters, these projects promise shorter journeys and safer, more efficient connections between city sectors, GT Road and the national motorway system.
