CDA will construct a new interchange at 17th Avenue to link Islamabad’s Sector I‑16 with Srinagar Highway, improving mobility as H‑16 and related roads develop.
ISLAMABAD — The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will construct a new interchange to connect Sector I‑16 with the Srinagar Highway, according to a written reply submitted by Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Senator Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi in the National Assembly. Officials said the scheme is part of Islamabad’s Master Plan and aims to ease east–west travel while supporting new housing currently underway in I‑16.
What Exactly Is Planned
Per the Master Plan, an interchange will be developed at the intersection of 17th Avenue and Srinagar Highway. CDA is also progressing civil works in the H‑16 sector, and the service road between H‑16 and H‑17 will be constructed as an associated link. Together, these upgrades are intended to improve access for residents and heavy vehicles without adding pressure to existing junctions.
Parallel Corridors: 16th Avenue and 10th Avenue
The minister added that 16th Avenue, situated between H‑15 and H‑16, will be built in line with the Master Plan. The number of interchanges and underpasses on 16th Avenue will be finalised after detailed design, allowing engineers to size structures based on projected traffic volumes and safety needs. In parallel, construction of 10th Avenue is already underway, creating another north–south spine to distribute traffic loads more evenly.
Why The I‑16 Interchange Matters
Sector I‑16 is in active development with new residential units being built. While authorities say there are no current impediments to traffic movement, growth in housing and services will raise daily trips. A dedicated interchange at 17th Avenue gives motorists a safer, signal‑free entry to Srinagar Highway, reducing weaving and cut‑through traffic in local streets. Freight and construction access can be channeled more predictably via the new ramps and the H‑16/H‑17 service road.
How It Fits the Islamabad Master Plan
Avenues across the federal capital are planned to maintain smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion. The I‑16 connection is designed as part of a broader grid where east–west arterials meet north–south avenues at grade‑separated nodes. By sequencing 17th Avenue’s interchange alongside 10th Avenue works and 16th Avenue design, CDA can align lane counts, turning radii, drainage and pedestrian crossings across corridors.
Next Steps and Timelines
With H‑16’s development advancing, the next stage is detailed engineering design for the 17th Avenue interchange, including traffic counts, ramp geometry, safety barriers, drainage, lighting and ITS provisions. The final tally of interchanges/underpasses on 16th Avenue will emerge from the same design process. Landscaping and noise‑reduction elements may be added where residential fronts face the corridor.
What Commuters Should Expect
During construction, short‑term diversions and speed controls are likely around Srinagar Highway and 17th Avenue. CDA typically phases works to keep two‑way traffic open where possible, with night or off‑peak closures for bridge launching and utility shifts. Once completed, motorists from I‑16 should experience shorter travel times, fewer bottlenecks, and a clearer path toward central Islamabad and the motorway network.
Authorities emphasised that the interchange and avenue upgrades will be delivered against future traffic demand and urban expansion. By tying ramps and service roads to the Master Plan grid, CDA aims to future‑proof the network for new neighbourhoods while maintaining safer, more reliable journeys for existing residents.
