The construction work on much-awaited Zero Point Interchange costing Rs 1.1 billion will start in June, a senior Capital Development Authority (CDA) official told APP here on Sunday.
"The concept plan of the two-phase project to be completed in two years has formally been approved by CDA Working Development Party (CDAWDP), while a presentation on it will be given to Chairman Planning Commission Dr Akram Sheikh within a week," he said. The CDAWDP after having thorough discussion on design of the interchange, prepared by M/S Ecil, approved it during a meeting held at CDA headquarters on Thursday, the official said.
The new design of the interchange in shape of cloverleaves includes four loops and four ramps (an inclined surface or roadway that moves traffic from one level to another) with a length of 10 kilometers, he said.
The interchange will be free of any traffic signal, allowing smooth flow of traffic coming from four directions. The consultants would be responsible to carry out other modalities of the project including contingency charges besides monitoring the project till its completion, the official said.
Out of initial estimated cost of the project ie Rs 1.1 billion, the authority has requested the federal government to also provide funds from Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) to undertake the construction work. According to a survey, about 25,000 vehicles cross Zero Point per hour from four directions, during peak times and the traffic load is increasing with every passing day.