LAHORE: The Walton Road will be partially opened for traffic after completion of its upgrade project by the end of this month (September), officials say, claiming that 70 percent of the work related to laying of asphalt has been completed.

The project involves a variety of work, including relocation of ADA drain, remodeling and upgrade of the Walton Road, making it signal-free, and construction of wastewater disposal stations.

The package-2 of the project (construction of Ghora Chowk/Karnal Sher Khan flyover) has already been completed, as it is currently open to traffic.

“The contractual deadline for the project is February 28, 2025. However, keeping in view the mobility issues being faced by the public, the Punjab chief minister wants us to complete the main carriageway (at least one side) and open it by September 30. So we will open one side of the three-lane carriageway for motorists as desired by the CM,” Mr Riaz Hussain, Executive Director (Technical) of the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA) told Dawn on Sunday, adding that the other side of the carriageway (4.3km long Qainchi to Ghora Chowk) would also be opened by end of next month.

The Rs9.573 billion project titled “Remodeling and Upgrade of ADA Nullah and Walton Road Lahore” is being executed by the PCBDDA as owner/client, in collaboration with the National Logistic Corporation (NLC) and Nespak — contractor and consultant, respectively.

Since the work on the project was commenced in October, last year, its scope (both packages) included laying of trunk sewer (1.7km pipeline, 2.7km conduit), relocation of ADA Nullah (3.2km), construction of the Walton Road, MM Ishaq Shaheed flyover (Defence Morr), Kernal Sher Khan Flyover (Ghora Chowk), four protected U-turns, four pedestrian bridges, two disposal stations and laying of 5.8km-long drainage system.

“We are not late, as we may complete the entire project before February, 2025,” the executive director said, claiming the authority has ensured quality work in all components of the project.

Meanwhile, the management of the PCBDDA claims that 70pc of asphalt work has been completed on the carriageway from Defence Mor to Qainchi. It says that approximately 500-600 tons of asphalt is being laid in each shifts.

“The scope of the Walton Road upgrade project is extensive, involving significant road works and sewerage laying tasks. We, the NLC and others are working tirelessly to complete the project ahead of the contract deadline. The main sewer conduit and ADA drain relocation have been successfully completed,” CEO Imran Ameen explained in a statement on Sunday.

He said following relocation of the ADA drain, the project team has begun demolishing the drain walls, and started the service road construction. Additionally, asphalt work on Major Ishaq Shaheed flyover will commence soon. “And once the carriageways are operational, the remaining work on the project will continue concurrently to ensure timely completion,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2024