The cabinet has given the green light to the proposed dualling of the 20.2km Nairobi Northern Bypass, an infrastructure upgrade to ease traffic congestion within the Nairobi metropolitan area.
This emerged following a cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, with the infrastructure expected to expand the city's capacity to handle the growing traffic volumes within the city.
According to a dispatch released after the meeting, the project will convert the current single carriageway into a dual carriageway and include the construction of eight interchanges, overpasses, and underpasses, as well as the development of nonmotorized transport facilities.
"The project will convert the current single carriageway into a dual carriageway and include the construction of eight interchanges, overpasses, and underpasses, as well as the development of nonmotorized transport facilities, including walkways and cycle paths, improved drainage systems, and enhancements to adjacent roads," read part of the dispatch.
Stretching from Ruaka in Kiambu to Ruiru, connecting with both the Western and Eastern Bypasses, the Northern Bypass remains Nairobi’s only bypass that is still a single carriageway.
In a bid to reduce the congestion, an upgrade is expected to improve traffic flow, enhance road safety, and boost access to economic hubs, industrial zones, and essential services in Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
Currently, the bypass experiences heavy congestion during peak hours, leading to travel delays, higher transport costs, increased pollution, and reduced productivity.
Additionally, the Cabinet also gave its nod to the implementation of the Nairobi Railway City Central Station and Public Realm Project, designed to decongest the capital and revitalise the central business district.
According to the government, the flagship project is seen as a critical step in attracting private investment to the Railway City, which will modernise the outdated Railways Central Station into a state-of-the-art, multi-modal transport hub.
"In support of Nairobi’s broader urban transformation agenda, Cabinet gave the green light to implement the Nairobi Railway City Central Station and Public Realm Project, a transformative infrastructure development designed to decongest Nairobi and revitalise the Central Business District," the dispatch added.
The news station will feature nine platforms and improved access bridges, allowing for the efficient evacuation of up to 30,000 people per hour.
Further, surrounding public realm improvements will unlock underutilised land, spur economic activity, and increase foot traffic into the city centre.
The project is backed by secured funding for key transport links, including BRT Line 3, several commuter rail lines, and a Standard-Gauge Railway connection to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
It is expected to drive job creation, urban regeneration, and sustainable growth, establishing the station as Nairobi’s premier transport interchange and a symbol of the city’s future urban vision.
