Meru Town has over the recent years seen infrastructure development with the construction of roads in the region.
Among the road projects undertaken by the national government is two bypasses around the town for a total amount of Ksh2.9 Billion.
Named the Western and Eastern bypasses the roads were built to decongest Meru town by diverting traffic destined to Nanyuki, Isiolo Maua, Ruiri and other suburbs of Meru town into the town bypass and reduce traffic loads on the road going through the town centre.
Drivers not wishing to enter the CBD use the bypasses to avoid traffic in the town.
With a total length of 22 KM, they both commence at the Gikumene area which is three kilometres from Meru town along the Meru-Embu road.
The two roads were commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2015 and were completed in 2020.
The Western Bypass which is 8.8 KM links motorists to the Meru-Nanyuki road at Gitoro near Meru National Polytechnic.
At the same time, the two bypasses will be connected to a dual carriage road.
In 2020, the government unveiled plans to build a four-kilometre dual carriage from Makutano where there will be an interchange, to Ruiri junction along the Meru-Maua road, connecting with the Eastern bypass.
Dualling of the road is expected to improve traffic movement in a town logistics experts predict will become a transport hub in the upper eastern region, given its strategic location between Nairobi and Isiolo where a resort city will be built in the Sh2.5 trillion Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor project.
The road was also touted to ease traffic flow along the road which would serve as a shortcut to Isiolo Airport.
