CDA launches work on widening of Kashmir Highway

[Salman]

CDA launches work on widening of Kashmir Highway

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has commenced the work on widening of Kashmir Highway from Zero Point Interchange Project (ZPIP), as its start point towards 9th Avenue (Peshawar Morr) by addition of 2 lanes on the either side of the carriageway.

CDA Chairman Farkhand Iqbal performed the ground breaking of the project. Members of the authority and senior officers were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the ground breaking ceremony CDA Chairman Farkhand Iqbal said that the impeding section of Kashmir Highway between start Point of Zero Point Interchange up to 9th Avenue for a length of 1.0 Km required upgrading with compatible features of Zero Point Interchange project as the commuters while entering or leaving the ZPI experienced sudden decrease, which was very dangerous from the road safety point of view.

This abrupt decrease in capacity from 4 lanes to 2 lanes was also causing driving discomfort, congestion and safety hazards for the commuters. He said that addition of 2 lanes of 3.65m width along with 2.0m shoulders on either side of the carriageway would not only facilitate the smooth flow of the traffic on the road, but also add to the benefits of both the Zero Point Interchange and Kahmir Highway projects.

The project scope also includes provision of side drains on either side of carriageway and installation of Kerb Stones at Shoulders edge and installation of Traffic Safety Gear. The Construction of Grade Separation Facility at Zero Point Islamabad consists of major structures comprising of bridges, overhead structures and underpasses with Road Widening on three major highways namely Islamabad Highway, Kashmir Highway and on Sharah-e-Suharwardy with ;oops and slip roads in clover leaf configuration.
The project has been envisaged for provision of five lanes in each direction on Kashmir Highway from Zero Point to 800 metres on Kashmir Highway towards 9th Avenue and would be completed by December 31, 2012.