Outer Ring, ‘Kenya’s most beautiful road’, takes shape -PHOTOS
By FRANCIS NDERITU @kijananderituOuter Ring superhighway is taking shape ahead of the completion date slated for December this year.
Already, residents of Eastlands area mostly Umoja, Komarock, Kayole and Donholm have had a chance to drive on parts of the road that have been opened to pave way for more construction as the deadline approaches.
The 13km stretch road is being constructed by China Wu Yi Company, the same company that constructed parts of Thika Superhighway.
The Sh8.4 billion road, which has been hailed as Kenya’s most beautiful road, will offer an easy access to Thika Road from Mombasa Road and vice versa.
Commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2015, the new superhighway is set to ultimately ease traffic on Jogoo Road and transform eastlands.
It will serve thousands of residents of Baba Dogo, Huruma, Kariobangi North and South, Lumumba, Umoja, Innercore, Tena and Dandora estates. Other estates that will also be opened up include Buru Buru Phase 5, Kayole, Komarock, Savannah, Donholm, EABS, Tassia and Embakasi.
The road has eight lanes, a median lane for the proposed Nairobi Rapid Transit System, four passenger transfer stations, 10 footbridges, six underpasses and two interchanges.
The project, which commenced at the end of 2016, has progressed well despite a few obstacles along the way.
A lot of businesses operating along the road have lost their front parking spaces worst being hit are a number of banks and one supermarket.
Hawkers and some temporary structures have been relocated to make way for the eight lane highway.
Residents are anxious for the construction to be completed as hopes are high that one of Nairobi’s most busiest road with traffic lasting hours during peak time will reduce to just taking less than 10 minutes getting home.
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