New Nairobi Expressway exit at Greenpark to ease traffic
Nairobi residents will now have easy access to the Central Business District (CBD) as the government plans to open the new Exit Plaza in Greenpark with five toll lanes.
Speaking during a project tour on Wednesday, December 20, Roads and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said that the construction that started towards the end of July 2023 will be completed by mid-January 2024.
The CS described the Nairobi Expressway as a shining monument to what Private-Public Partnerships can do.
“I’m glad to have joined the staff and management of Moja Expressway during an awards ceremony to mark 19 months of excellent service. The Expressway has reduced travel time from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Nairobi from two hours to 20 minutes at no cost to taxpayers,” he said.
He revealed that at Museum Hill Exit, which currently has only three lanes, plans are underway to add two more lanes.
“Land acquisition negotiation with University of Nairobi is ongoing,” he said.
He added that besides the many socioeconomic benefits it has brought to the country, the Nairobi Expressway is also facilitating transfer of technology to Kenya.
“Its smart traffic monitoring system, with a 360-degree view of the whole road, has enhanced security and emergency response. It will provide a good benchmark for the Intelligent Traffic System (ITS) that we have been piloting and is now ready to be rolled out,” said the CS.
“Thanks to the success of the Expressway, we are now receiving increasing demand for similar projects. We are therefore considering the dualling of the Rironi-Mau Summit road and possibly to Eldoret under the PPP. The Nairobi- Mombasa and Athi-River-Namanga highways and Kiambu Road are also potential candidates for tolling.’
He thanked the People’s Republic of China and its companies, such as the China Road and Bridge Corporation, that have made possible projects like the Nairobi Expressway, which is operated by Moja Expressway.
“Thanks, too, to the Kenya Police Service and the Kenya National Highways Authority, which are working closely with Moja Expressway. To the staff who won various awards for their excellent service, I say kudos and keep aiming high,” he said.
On his part, Moja Expressway CEO Steve Zhao said the company is taking a moment to review the year and highlight what they are aiming for in the New Year ahead.
“We also celebrate our staff by recognizing and awarding them for the excellent work they have done. I am proud of the progress made by our team and organization this year. Allow me to mention a few of our achievements this year,” he said.
He added that the operation of the Nairobi Expressway has greatly relieved the congestion situation in Nairobi by reducing travelling time, which enhanced the competitiveness of Nairobi as an international economic and trade centre.
“We have now more than 200,000 ETC subscribers who have been enjoying the benefits, comfort and convenience brought by the ETC services,” said Mr Zhao.
“We are also offering more job opportunities by hiring more than 540 local staff and enhancing the technology transfer via Vocational Training Programme. So far, 90 employees have passed the assessment and been awarded professional certificates. In 2024, we will introduce an international vocational training agency to conduct more skills training programmes and more excellent qualified employees will be promoted to the management level to enhance localization.”
The Chinese-built Nairobi Expressway stretches from the western side of the city to the southeastern edge of the metropolis and reportedly records an average daily traffic volume of 50,000 vehicles.
The Sh87 billion, 27.1-kilometer road was financed and built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation under a public-private partnership model.
The Nairobi Expressway has 10 interchanges and includes the SGR terminus at JKIA, Eastern Bypass, Southern Bypass, and Enterprise Road.
It was launched by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022 to reduce traffic congestion on Mombasa Road and improve mobility in the city.