It currently takes motorists about two hours to commute through Nairobi. Kenya losses approximately Ksh.18 billion annually as a result of traffic jams – By Gerald Gekara.
Kenya National Highways Authority Director General, Eng. Peter Mundinia says the Nairobi expressway will significantly reduce time spent on the road from two hours at rush hour to just 10-15 minutes.
The Nairobi Expressway project is being constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), is expected to be a key source of employment both during and after construction.
“About 3,000 jobs will be created during the construction, and after construction, 500 jobs will be available.”
Eng. Mundinia also added that the project is in line with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s big four agenda, aimed at improving the lives of Kenyans.
“This project will support the realization of the Government’s “Big 4 Agenda” & “Vision 2030″, enhance the economic vitality of Nairobi and consolidate Kenya’s leading position as an investment destination in East Africa.” He said.
The cost of building this project is Sh.59.9billion and will be implemented under the Public-Private Partnership initial time as a Toll Road.
The concessionaire, in this case, is the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
Elevation and structural upgrades.
The first 15.5 km will be constructed at ground level, while 11.2 km will be constructed as an elevated road. Elevation will be done to utilize the space that is available in the median section of the existing road.
To accommodate traffic being fed into different points along the highway, there will be different lane provisions at different sections of the Expressway.
From Mlolongo to the Eastern Bypass the Nairobi Expressway will have four lanes. The section between Eastern Bypass and Southern Bypass will be a six-lane dual carriageway due to the significantly high volume of traffic brought in from the Eastern Bypass and the Southern Bypass to James Gichuru will be a four-lane dual carriageway.
The road will have 10 interchanges at Mlolongo, SGR terminus, JKIA, Eastern Bypass, Southern Bypass, Capital Centre, Haile Selassie Avenue, Thika Road (Museum), The Mall Westlands and at James Gichuru Road.
These will facilitate smooth entry and exit from the Expressway.
