Why Nairobians are crushing on new-look Ngong Road – PHOTOS
By FRANCIS NDERITUNairobians using Ngong Road finally have a taste of how it feels to ride on a superhighway.
Majority are impressed by the works done by the Japanese contractors. For years, major infrastructure projects, such as Thika Road and Outer Ring Road, have been done by Chinese contractors.
The first phase of the project, which entailed dualling of about 2.57km of the road from the Kenya National Library to the junction at the Kilimani Ring Road, has been completed.
The project, which cost Sh 2.264 billion, was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta on August 25, 2016.
“Nairobi has changed over the years, but the investment in infrastructure has not matched the growing population.” said the president during the launch.
“We are working on many roads because we believe we can only achieve the 10 per cent growth if we have better infrastructure.”
Pictures of the snazzy new section have been shared on social media wowing many Kenyans.
06:34 Ngong road. Japanese Engineers !! pic.twitter.com/FaPq91J6eb via @Eddiest_KE
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) January 24, 2018
Ngong road is well designed and constructed that cyclists have their own crossing point and riding path. @Ma3Route @KURAroads @KenyanTraffic pic.twitter.com/mYzF8LdrXJ
— parkside roadsafety (@PRSA_Roadsafety) February 7, 2018
The section has brought forth a change along the road with easier movement of vehicles and lesser traffic on the road.
The marvel of the roads built by the government in collaboration with Japanese firms has left an engineering feet of beauty.
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Thika Road Superhighway was thought of as the pinnacle of road engineering but other have come up to rival it, from the Outering Road, Southern Bypass and now the Ngong Road.
The road has been fitted with intelligent traffic signals at most junctions, pedestrian walk ways, bus stops for PSV vehicles, U-turns for changing lanes and a wider City Mortuary Roundabout with extra lanes to cater for all directions.
With other roads marked for expansion and new ones being built, the engineering surprises are limitless, as Ngong road is yet to be completed with Phase 2 –between Dagoretti corner and Karen junction set to start next month.
Kenya Urban Roads Authority has awarded Japanese company World Kogyo Kaihatsu. The project will cost of Sh1.98 billion.