Two u-turns being built to allow removal of traffic signals.
LAHORE:
The Qurtaba Chowk intersection is to be redesigned to address its traffic problems once work on the Metro Bus Service is complete, as plans to build a flyover there are unlikely to be executed soon, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA) officials will try two traffic management plans at the busy chowk and then select the one that is more efficient, said Tepa Director Khalid Alvi, who designed the two plans.
Though the Lahore Development Authority has granted principal approval for the construction of a flyover at the intersection alongside the elevated track for the MBS at a cost of Rs3 billion.
However, it is unlikely to be built quickly, as there is a shortage of funds. Ferozepur Road has been subject to disruption due to infrastructure projects for the last 18 months, and the Punjab government may be concerned that more road works will anger citizens and lose it votes in the upcoming elections.
After the inauguration of the MBS, Tepa will execute two traffic management plans, approved by the LDA, to assess which one is better. Under the first plan, all traffic signals will be removed from the five-road intersection. The second plan will be similar to the first, but with three traffic signals.
According to data compiled by Tepa, an average of 200,278 vehicles a day use Qurtaba Chowk, which is at the intersection of Ferozepur Road, Jail Road, Queen’s Road, Lytton Road and Bahawalpur Road. Construction work is currently underway on Queen’s Road and much of the intersection needs to be carpeted.
Under the first plan, all traffic signals will be removed from the intersection while two new u-turns will be created, 100 metres from Qurtaba Chowk on Lytton Road and 30 meters from the chowk on Ferozepur Road.
Vehicles going to the chowk from Chauburji via Bahawalpur Road – an average of 35,798 vehicles do so every day – will have to take a left onto Lytton Road, from where they can take the u-turn for onward travel to Queen’s Road, Ferozepur Road or Jail Road. An average of 10,991 out of the 35,798 vehicles approaching the chowk from Chauburji head to Queen’s Road.
Vehicles on Ferozepur Road will not be allowed to take a right turn onto Queen’s Road an average of 27,329 vehicles take the turn every day – but will instead have to go straight and take the Lytton Road u-turn.
Traffic approaching from Queen’s Road will not be able to take a right onto Lytton Road – 3,526 vehicles on average do so daily but must take a left onto Ferozepur Road.
Traffic on Jail Road will be unable to go straight but instead must make a left onto Ferozepur Road. They can then take the u-turn, which will be 15 metres wide, for onward travel to Chauburji or Lytton Road.
Those wishing to travel to Queen’s Road will have to take a second u-turn on Lytton Road.
The second plan will also have u-turns, but with traffic signals at Jail Road entering Qurtaba Chowk, at Ferozepur Road and at Lytton Road, said Tepa Director Khalid Alvi. At any one time, two of the three signals will be green.
He said that the u-turns would be wide enough so that long queues did not form there and hold up traffic. He said each plan would be tried for one week.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2013.
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