The Kenya National Highway Authority is considering constructing an elevated road in Karatina Town in the ongoing Kenol - Sagana - Karatina - Marua Road Project.
In a public participation forum held on Tuesday, February 23, the roads agency stated that the new road if implemented would involve the construction of a viaduct over the existing road.
This would in turn accommodate a seamless flow of traffic as the road would get expanded in the project.
A 7km Bypass is also expected to be constructed in Karatina town.
The road traverses the counties of Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Nyeri starting at Kenol, Maragua, through the towns of Sagana in Kirinyaga County, and Karatina in Nyeri County before finally terminating in Marua town.
The whole road project is estimated to cost Ksh16 billion with an expected completion date of June 2023.
The project is being conducted in two phases with the first phase involving the dualling of the stretch from Kenol through Makutano to Sagana. There will be a construction of an Interchange at Makutano.
Section 2 of the road project is the 36 km stretch from Sagana to Nyeri, which will have three interchanges at Mathaithi, Tumutumu and Marua.
The road is a key flagship project that connects the Central Part of Kenya to the Isiolo-Marsabit- Moyale Road.
According to a project report, about 1.15 million people will benefit from the upgraded highway, with the beneficiaries highlighted as farmers, manufacturers and traders.
Once finished, commuters heading north to Ethiopia as well as to other feeder towns will have a continual 120kms of road, a first in Kenya.
According to the project report, the road will become a part of the 800km stretch from Nairobi to Moyale.
“Looking at the project, it will cut through at least six or seven counties and that will be a major boost to the region. This is a priority project for the government,” Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia stated during a press conference on June 2, 2019.
