Lahore: In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity in Lahore, the Khalid Butt Underpass (Cavalry Ground), will soon be open to traffic, a news source reported on October 19.
Read: LDA proposes underpass, flyover projects at Cavalry Ground, Defence Mor
As per the details, the construction work on Khalid Butt underpass has gained momentum in recent months and will open to public on November 5. Once the Khalid Butt Underpass project is completed, in conjunction with the Ghora Chowk flyover, commuters will benefit from a signal-free journey from Cantonment to Gulberg, Kalma Chowk, and vice versa. This development is expected to save commuters valuable time and energy while reducing traffic bottlenecks.
Officials in the engineering department have recently assured Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi that the Khalid Butt Underpass and its associated works will be open to the public by November 5 and November 30, respectively.
The news source mentioned that the Lahore Development Authority (LDA), the executing agency responsible for the project, has accelerated the pace of work on the Khalid Butt Underpass. LDA Project Director Haroon Saifi stated that the underpass will open to traffic on November 5. However, the allied works, such as ground roads, slip roads, and beautification, will be completed by November 30, which is ten days ahead of the deadline.
Read: Gulberg-DHA Signal Free Corridor: New traffic diversion plan shared
It is pertinent to note that the Khalid Butt Underpass is a four-lane underpass, with two lanes on each side, spanning a total length of 540 meters and a width of 15.8 meters. The project also includes improvements to at-grade (ground-level) road networks and is expected to contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions.
Besides this, the Ghora Chowk project, situated at the intersection of Masood Anwari Road and Walton Road, is estimated to be completed by December 10. This project will effectively address traffic congestion issues and provide smooth passage for approximately 180,000 vehicles daily, which currently lead to congestion up to Khalid Butt Chowk.
Read: Launch of DHA-Lahore’s signal-free corridor, Bedian Road underpass projects expected soon
As part of the Signal-Free Corridor from Kalma Chowk to Walton Road, two underpasses have already been completed at Centre Point and Firdaus Market. The project’s design aims for a speed of 40 kilometres per hour, ensuring a smooth and signal-free traffic flow with two U-turns.