The route begins at its southernmost extent – the Hazara Expressway interchange, located to the west of Hasan Abdal near the village of Koliya on the banks of the Haro River in northern Punjab province on the M-1 motorway.

The Jharikass Interchange is located immediately east of the river, where the motorway intersects with the N-35 National Highway at Tareen Abad bus stop.

The next phase extends the motorway further north to Abbottabad via the 1.7 km Shimla tunnel and continues on to Manshera, Battagram and terminate at Thakot to rejoin the N-35.

[5][6][7] The first phase of the project would cost PKR 33 billion and will include the 60-kilometre-long (37 mi), six-lane, fenced portion of the motorway from Hasan Abdal to Havelian.

[8][9] Packages one and two comprising a 39.61 stretch of road between Burhan and Serai Saleh were awarded to the Chinese firm Gezhouba Group.

Federal Minister of Communication Pakistan Murad Saeed alleged corruption in the project and claimed of 10.3 billion rupees in recoveries from the contractor.