Punjab will begin work in January on three underpasses along Peshawar Road in Rawalpindi, part of a Rs. 30 billion signal-free corridor from Ammar Chowk to Motorway Chowk.
Three New Underpasses to Ease Peshawar Road Gridlock
The Punjab Communication and Works Department is set to start construction on three new underpasses along Peshawar Road in Rawalpindi this January. The scheme is part of a broader plan to create a signal-free corridor from Ammar Chowk to Motorway Chowk, one of the busiest stretches of road in the garrison city.
Officials said the Rs. 8 billion project will be executed by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), which is already working on the remodelling of Kutchery Chowk. The underpasses will be built at Race Course Park Square, Army Graveyard Square and Chairing Cross, three key intersections that currently experience heavy congestion throughout the day.
Traffic Diversions and Construction Timeline
A senior official said work on all three underpasses will break ground in January, with the government aiming to complete construction within three months. To keep traffic moving, the Communication and Works Department has directed the traffic police to prepare a detailed diversion plan by the end of December.
According to traffic data shared by the department, around 250,736 vehicles use this stretch of Peshawar Road daily. Once the project is complete, the new underpasses are expected to allow traffic to move through the busiest junctions without stopping at signals, reducing bottlenecks and cutting travel times for commuters, public transport and goods carriers.
Part of a Rs. 30 Billion Signal-Free Corridor
Punjab Highway Department Executive Engineer Rana Qamar Saqib confirmed that all preparations have been completed and that construction will begin in January as planned. He explained that the three underpasses are one component of a larger Rs. 30 billion programme to turn the Ammar Chowk–Motorway Chowk corridor into a largely signal-free route.
He said the government is already spending over Rs. 14 billion on Kutchery Chowk and Rs. 8 billion on the new underpasses. Another Rs. 6 billion has been invested in the GPO Chowk underpasses, which have already been completed. Together, these projects are designed to untangle multiple choke points that have long frustrated motorists on Peshawar Road.
Planned Flyover at Ammar Chowk
Rana Qamar Saqib added that the government also plans to construct a new flyover at Ammar Chowk at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.450 billion. Officials are currently preparing the PC-I for the project, which will be sent for formal approval once detailed designs and cost estimates are finalised.
The flyover is expected to further streamline traffic by separating through-traffic from local movement near one of Rawalpindi’s most important junctions. Combined with the underpasses, it would complete the core elements of the signal-free corridor from the city towards the motorway.
What the Project Means for Rawalpindi Commuters
Urban planners say the new underpasses and related projects could significantly improve mobility for Rawalpindi residents, especially those who travel daily between the city, Islamabad and the motorway. Fewer stops at traffic lights, smoother merging and dedicated grade-separated crossings should help reduce fuel consumption and vehicle emissions along the corridor.
However, commuters are likely to face temporary disruption once work begins, with diversions and slower traffic expected around Race Course Park, the Army Graveyard and Chairing Cross. Authorities have urged drivers to follow diversion plans, allow extra travel time and use alternative routes where possible.
If executed on schedule, the Rs. 8 billion underpasses and earlier investments at Kutchery and GPO Chowks could mark a major step towards a more efficient road network in Rawalpindi, easing daily gridlock and supporting economic activity along one of the city’s main arteries.
