The construction of the Nairobi Expressway has been fast-tracked and will now be completed six months earlier than the projected date.
The initial completion date of the 27 km road was September 2022 but according to Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary (CS) James Macharia, the government has pushed the contactor to deliver it early to ease traffic snarl-up on the busy highway.
The CS announced that the road would be ready for public use from February 2022.
On Saturday, July 10, Macharia announced that the Ksh63 billion road, was 60 per cent complete, noting that the China Roads and Bridges Company (CRBC) was working 24 hours daily.
The expressway begins at Mlolongo via the Central Business District to Waiyaki way and it consists of 11 inter-changes to ease exit and entry.
Macharia stated that once completed, Kenya’s first road to be tolled under a public-private Partnership will see motorists take 20 minutes to drive from Mlolongo to Rironi near Limuru, through Westlands.
The project started in June 2020 but delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions. The contractor will however cut the construction time to about 20 months as opposed to two and half years.
Acknowledging that traffic snarl-ups had negatively affected motorists plying Waiyaki Way and Mombasa roads - the CS promised to work with the Interior Ministry to tame the mess.
“We requested the Ministry of Interior to offer security to the contractor to ensure smooth operations on a 24-hour basis. We are glad they are working in shifts that will see the road completed before schedule,” he said.
Two weeks ago, Kenya National Highway Authority(KeNHA) stated they would create a diversion at the General Motors (GM) section to ease traffic snarl-up for motorists who transit through Mombasa road through the Waiyaki way.
The most affected sections are General Motors, Bunyala, Capital Centre and the Nyayo stadium roundabout.
Due to the narrowed lanes, motorists have resorted to using the Industrial area, Jogoo Road or South B alternatives routes into and out of town.
Macharia asked the contractor to implement a better traffic management system to ease traffic flow.
