Commuters of Thika superhighway can expect a heavy snarl-up as it is expected to be closed for two months at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies (KSMS) section.
In a notice posted on Twitter on Friday, February 21, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) indicated that the section will have a partial closure at the outer lanes to allow the contractor to construct the median columns for the KSMS footbridge.
“The Kenya National Highways Authority in pursuant to Traffic Act Cap 403. Sec.71 wishes to notify the general public that a section of the Thika Superhighway has been partially closed for motorists up to Monday, April 13, 2020.
“We request motorists to exercise caution around the work areas and to comply with the proposed traffic management plan and as directed by traffic marshals,” read the notice.
Further, the notice sent by KeNHA through the authority’s director-general Eng. Peter Mundinia gave alternative routes for motorists heading to and from the city.
Kenyans have been on the high note in laying complaints about the delayed completion of the bridges along the busy superhighway.
Among the bridges that the authority took up to construct include the bridges at Witeithie, Garden City Mall, Kenya School of Monetary Studies and Njomoko in Thika.
On December 17, 2019, KeNHA, through a notice announced the plan to partially close the highway along Witeithie stage, a move that led to a backlash from members of the public.
The step led to heavy traffic snarl ups that occured as residents headed to other regions for Christmas celebrations.
However, the government through the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure, and Housing ordered for the halt in construction of the bridge.
According to the Daily Nation, the footbridges were contracted around 2016 but remained a dream as construction took longer than indicated.
However, KeNhA blamed the delay on the importation of the footbridge superstructures that were to be sourced from China-based factories.
Once completed, the authority intends to remove the bumps erected to prevent accidents along the highway that also slowed traffic as pedestrians crossed.
