The government, on Friday, May 23, announced that the Nairobi Green Park Underpass is 88 percent complete.
As per the Government Delivery Unit, this modern urban infrastructure will ease pedestrian movement and facilitate smooth traffic flow into the central business district.
Drawing inspiration from some of the world-class urban designs, for instance, London’s renowned pedestrian underpasses, the project is expected to provide pedestrians with a secure and efficient route beneath the major Uhuru highway, linking Uhuru Park, the Nairobi Railways station, and Haile Selassie Avenue directly to the Central Business District.
Located at the busy intersection of Uhuru Highway and Haile Selassie Avenue, Deputy Chief of Staff for Performance and Delivery Management, Eliud Owalo, disclosed that the underpass would ensure pedestrians' safety without crossing chaotic traffic lanes.
“This Green Park underpass is not just any construction project; it is the embodiment of a vision to modernize Nairobi’s urban landscape,” said Owalo, during an inspection tour with engineers and officials from the GDU.
The Green Park underpass will feature well-lit corridors, retail outlets, and CCTV surveillance, mirroring the multipurpose pedestrian tunnels found in cities like London, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong, where such infrastructure doubles as social and commercial hubs.
As per the GDU, pedestrians walking through the Green Park underpass will be treated to a clean, secure corridor that feels more like a mini plaza than a tunnel.
They will have access to conveniences like coffee shops, kiosks, and newsstands, transforming a simple walk from the hustle and bustle into a seamless, city-friendly experience.
“By diverting foot traffic below ground, the facility is expected to significantly reduce pedestrian-vehicle conflict, enhance commuter safety, and improve vehicular traffic flow around the critical Haile Selassie-Uhuru Highway intersection, in a strategic shift from reactive traffic management to proactive, design-led solutions aligned with the best global practices,” the GDU noted.
Coming at a cost of two billion shillings, the project aims to reduce persistent traffic jams by streamlining both pedestrian and vehicular flow at one of Nairobi’s most congested junctions.
The project, under the national government, is being implemented by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) in partnership with the China Road and Bridge Corporation.
“Nairobians should anticipate a safer, more organized commuting experience that aligns with the city’s long-term transport and development goal of a green city in the sun,” stated Owalo.
