The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Wednesday, November 13, announced the one-month closure of part of the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway linking the Southern and Western Bypass.
In a statement, KeNHA revealed the disruption was due to the ongoing roadworks for the construction of the right-hand side carriageway linking the two roads.
As a result of the scheduled road works, the Highways Authority disclosed traffic along the aforementioned roads would be disrupted for up to a month from Tuesday, November 19 to December 19.
"We would like to inform the public of a temporary traffic disruption at Gitaru interchange on Waiyaki Way (A8) and Southern bypass to Western bypass," KeNHA said in their statement.
In its advisory, KeNHA issued an alternative route for motorists planning to use the Gitaru Interchange to take heed of the traffic signs and guidance from the police and traffic marshals.
Several different roads are set to be affected by the closure, including the Southern Bypass, Western Bypass, Rironi Road, and a section of Waiyaki Way (A8).
Motorists coming to the Western Bypass trying to connect to Rironi Road will have to re-route through the Kanjeru underpass.
Similarly, motorists using both lanes of Rironi Road will have to use different slip roads to access either the Southern or the Western Bypass.
Elsewhere, vehicles from Nakuru to Southern Bypass will turn at the popular Regen/Magana Interchange which lies three kilometres from Gitaru Interchange, and proceed to Southern Bypass.
On August 28, 2024, there was a similar traffic disruption at the interchange, also due to road works. Motorists had to use slip roads and alternate routes until October 1.
KeNHA has been keen to revamp the Gitaru Interchange, which the authority says will be a game-changer in terms of revolutionising traffic flow in the area.
The interchange upgrade aims at reducing congestion and enhancing road safety, according to the highways authority.
Further, KeNHA also projects faster travel times and improved access to critical intersections for motorists once the road is completed.
