The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has initiated plans to construct a new barrier at the Chania River Bridge off the Thika Superhighway.
This is after a widespread public outcry and concerns raised by motorists and pedestrians on social media over the safety status of the bridge.
"Following an inspection by KURA engineers a decision has been made to remove the barrier and a new one installed to protect this historically ornamental bridge built in 1936," part of the statement by KURA read.
Netizens in the past had raised concerns over the safety status of the bridge appealing to the authority to look into the matter.
"True to our Kenyan culture, those responsible for this bridge are waiting for disaster to strike for them to address this danger. For several months now, this concrete barrier at Chania Bridge has been in this state with no one taking action.
"@KURA, this is the status of the concrete barrier at Chania bridge, Thika, near Blue Post Hotel. Please help to avert disaster," part of the comments by netizens.
Further, the authority appealed to drivers of heavy vehicles such as cargo trucks and lorries to use alternative roads instead of plying on the four-meter Chania bridge which is designed for lighter vehicles.
"KURA urges drivers with heavy vehicles to use alternative roads provided including a newly constructed Thika Northern bypass which links Murang'a Road from Delmonte shop to Ananas building supermarket in Garissa Road," the government agency added.
The authority affirmed that other improved designs would be put up in order to improve the flow of traffic in and out of Thika using the bridge.
In another statement, KURA also noted that the Ksh1.8 billion Thika bypass road is currently at 73% completion. According to the Authority, the road touching on four counties (Kiambu, Murang'a, Machakos and Nyandarua) is expected to be completed in July 2021.
The purpose of the road is to ease the traffic along the busy Thika-Garissa highway and to allow for easier access into Thika town for motorists plying the Thika Superhighway.
