The Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency has decided to remodel three junctions around Thokar Niaz Baig, The Express Tribune has learnt.
A traffic island has been created at the Multan Road end using concrete barriers. The Nawaz Sharif Chowk and Nazria Pakistan Avenue on Canal Road have also been similarity modified.
The Thokar Niaz Baig Chowk now resembles Qurtaba Chowk with a roundabout. A Rs10 million two lane U-turn bridge is planned to be built under the flyover.
A link road through Lalazar Park that had been closed for traffic eight months ago, has also been reopened for traffic so that commuters reaching the junction using Multan Road can use it to approach Nazria Pakistan Avenue (leading to the Expo Centre) rather than travelling all the way to Nawaz Sharif Chowk and taking a right turn from there.
The modification of Thokar Niaz Baig junction was completed on Tuesday. The roads leading to the junction from Multan Road and Raiwind Road were blocked. Traffic from Multan Road and Raiwind Road is to be diverted right, towards a U-turn, a few hundred meters away.
The TEPA plans to make the link road to Nawaz Sharif Chowk one-way and to remove the median. The link road next to the Judicial Colony will then only be used by Nawaz Sharif Chowk bound traffic from Nazria Pakistan Avenue.
Another change is planned for the intersection Canal Road – Nazria Pakistan Avenue intersection. Commuters on the Nazria Pakistan Avenue will thus be able to use the flyover. Two approach lanes will be allocated for them.
The TEPA plans to build a U-turn bridge beneath the flyover.
Additional TEPA Chief Engineer Khalid Alvi said the construction of the U-turn bridge under the flyover will begin during the annual canal closure…hopefully in January. He said the bridge would be constructed in a month.
The TEPA has also proposed U-turn bridges between The Mall and Dharampura, The Mall and Jail Road, Gulzar Underpass and New Campus, New Campus and Jinnah Hospital and Expo Centre and the Nazria Pakistan Avenue. The structures would cost Rs150 million each. The cost includes the expenses for widening the roads. The proposal is currently under the provincial government’s consideration.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2013.