Restoration of Mombasa Road to begin in eight weeks
Rehabilitation of sections of Mombasa Road damaged during the construction of the Nairobi Expressway is set to begin.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) Director General, Eng Kungu Ndungu said the authority is waiting for contracts to be in place before rehabilitation works start.
“There is also a need to enhance the facility that was existing before the Expressway. Therefore, Kenha and as a government we are going to implement addition facilities including footbridges and also strengthening the old road and we expect this contracts in place in about eight weeks,” Mr Ndungu said on Tuesday, adding that three extra bridges will be constructed along the road.
In May last year, former Transport Secretary James Macharia, said a section of the highway between Mlolongo and Westlands will be rehabilitated to ensure motorists who opt for the lower deck road can enjoy a more improved road.
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The former CS said the government had contracted China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) to rehabilitate the highway, which was extensively damaged during the construction of the upper deck toll highway.
“We are finalising a contract of Sh9 billion to make sure we beautify the old road. It makes sense to have the contractor who was doing the expressway rehabilitate the old road,” Mr Macharia said at the time.
Construction of the 27.4-kilometre highway chipped away some lanes of these highways, leaving narrower roads that have been characterized by high-traffic gridlock.
The scope of work on the old road involves fixing the drainage system, erecting a bus rapid transport system on the road, and fixing pedestrian walkways. The design also provides erecting modern lighting system and recarpeting of the old road.
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Last year, Kenyans expressed outrage following revelations that taxpayers will fund the rehabilitation of the road network.
In July 2021, Mr Macharia said the budget for the entire project would be used to repair three roads – Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki Way – that are in deplorable condition.
“During construction, the old road was damaged as the contractor had to do piling. But the contractor, upon completion, will restore the old road and leave it better than they found it. Everything is done under one budget,” Mr Macharia said at the time.
Meanwhile, Moja Expressway, who operate the Nairobi Expressway on Tuesday marked a milestone of 10 million vehicles since the road was opened to the public in May 2022.
Moja Expressway will operate the toll road for 27 years before handing it over to the Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha).
Motorists pay between Sh120 and Sh1,800 to use the 27.1km road depending on the size of their vehicles and the distance they will cover, according to the April 22 issue of Kenya Gazette.
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