ISLAMABAD: The city managers have decided to launch a separate project for the beautification of Rawal Dam Interchange by adding a hanging arch style bridge with lighting at the site.

CDA officials said the artificial arch style hanging bridge will be constructed on the interchange to add beauty to the entire project.

A pedestrian bridge will also be constructed on Park Road. The CDA officials said the additional work will be carried out through separate tenders.

Currently, an estimate is being prepared before calling tenders.

“Our design for the arch style bridge and lighting has been prepared and vetted by a consultant. Now, we are in the estimation process. Once the estimation process is completed, we will call tenders,” said an official of the CDA.

Design for arch style bridge has been prepared, vetted by consultant, say CDA officials

Meanwhile, construction work on the main interchange is in progress but still marred by slow pace of work which shows that the project will not be completed in the stipulated two years.

The project worth Rs1.17 billion was inaugurated in July last year by Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, the CDA issued the work order after three months (in October) for starting the project as it was inaugurated without approval from the environment agency. Later, the environment agency approved the project.

It seems if the project continued at the current pace, it will not be completed in the stipulated time. However, concerned CDA officials claimed that the progress on the project was satisfactory and it would be completed even before the stipulated time.

They said 16pc work had been completed, adding out of the total 22 piles seven had been completed and remaining would be ready in a month.

They said that out of the total 18 girders, two had been constructed, three were in progress and the remaining would be ready in 40 days.

The officials said that base work of a slip road from Rawal Dam to Faizabad had been completed and in a week it would be carpeted.

The interchange is being constructed at the junction of Murree Road/Club Road and Park Road. According to CDA officials, once completed, the project will provide relief to motorists as this portion of Murree Road faced traffic congestion on a regular basis.

The officials said that the civic agency was focusing on the interchange and two other ongoing projects - P.W.D. underpass and expansion of Korang Bridge.

The CDA management will ensure timely completion of the three projects.

They said the contract for the construction of 7th Avenue Interchange (with estimated cost of Rs1.5 billion) would also be awarded soon as the CDA had opened technical bids of the construction companies.

“Soon we will open financial bids also to formally award the contract of 7th Avenue Interchange,” an officer of the CDA said.

He said that Habib Construction Company, which built the G-7/G-8 interchange, National Logistics Cell (NLC) and joint venture of Maaksons, Calson and Maqbool Associates, had submitted bids for the project.

The officer said all the companies were sound and experienced and a tough competition was expected among them.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2021