Rawalpindi’s long‑awaited grade‑separated road improvement will commence on 7 September, when contractors break ground on an Rs 8 billion scheme that will deliver two new underpasses along the city’s heavily trafficked Peshawar Road, one at the junction near Race Course Park and the other close to Charing Cross.
The twin structures are being built to create uninterrupted north‑south corridors that will allow vehicles to bypass the at‑grade intersections that currently choke the arterial route. Project engineers say the works will involve massive earth‑moving, extensive concrete pours for the sub‑structure and the installation of modern drainage networks to cope with the region’s monsoon rains. Heavy‑duty excavators, concrete mixers and 24‑hour crews have already been mobilised to the sites, with construction slated to progress round‑the‑clock to meet a targeted completion window of late 2028.
Peshawar Road serves as the main conduit between Rawalpindi and the national capital, Islamabad, and also handles a substantial share of inter‑city traffic heading toward Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Congestion at the Race Course and Charing Cross intersections has long been a source of commuter frustration, contributing to longer travel times, higher fuel consumption and increased emissions. By diverting through‑traffic beneath the existing roadway, the underpasses are expected to cut peak‑hour delays by up to 30 percent, according to traffic‑flow simulations carried out by the Punjab Highway Department.
The project forms part of a broader urban‑infrastructure drive announced by the provincial government earlier this year, which aims to modernise Rawalpindi’s transport network to keep pace with its rapid population growth and expanding commercial activity. Similar grade‑separated solutions have been rolled out in other Pakistani cities, such as Lahore’s Ring Road underpasses, where traffic efficiency gains have been documented. Local business owners anticipate that smoother vehicle movement will improve logistics for goods entering the city’s wholesale markets, while residents hope for a more predictable commute to workplaces and schools.
Funding for the venture is being supplied through a combination of provincial budget allocations and a concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank, reflecting the strategic importance placed on improving mobility in the twin‑city region. The construction contract was awarded to a joint venture of Pakistani and Chinese engineering firms, whose experience in large‑scale civil projects is expected to ensure adherence to quality and safety standards.
While the works promise long‑term benefits, officials have warned that temporary disruptions are inevitable. Traffic will be rerouted through designated detour lanes, and pedestrians are being urged to use the newly erected footbridges that will be installed alongside the underpasses. The Rawalpindi Development Authority has set up a 24‑hour hotline to field public queries and to coordinate with emergency services should any incidents arise during the construction phase.
Upon completion, the underpasses will not only alleviate the chronic bottlenecks on Peshawar Road but also serve as a tangible step toward a more resilient and efficient urban transport system for Rawalpindi’s growing populace.