Section of Mombasa-Nairobi highway to be closed for 12 hours

A bridge of Standard Gauge Railway at Tsavo national park in a picture taken on November 18,2015. The China Road and Bridge Corporation made bridge will enhance easy movement of wild animals in the park and avoid being hit by train as it used to happen hence dubbed 'animal corridor.' (Photo: Denish Ochieng/ Standard)

Part of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway will be closed for 12 hours today to enable crucial work to be done on the standard gauge railway (SGR).

During this time, the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the main contractor of the SGR, will  lay T-beams on piers at the Taru section of the road.

This is the first spot from the so-called 'kilometre zero' at the Port of Mombasa where the modern high-speed rail track will cross over the highway.

It is here where the SGR will pass very close to Tsavo East National Park.

In a telephone interview, Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanas Maina said the contractor has already notified the general public through a notice in leading daily newspapers of the temporary closure of the road.

The closure is scheduled between 6am–6pm.

An alternative temporary road has been made available to ensure the flow of vehicles continues uninterrupted.

Obey directions

''We urge motorists to obey directions as this is a very delicate undertaking hence utmost safety precautions must be taken,'' Mr Maina said yesterday.

He added that civil works on the project are about 80 per cent complete in terms of delivery of phase 1.

Already, Maina said, 280km of the 616km SGR line have been laid.

He also revealed that they have already placed orders for importation of train locomotives and other equipment and that are expected in the country between December 2016 and February 2017.

In total, Maina said they will acquire 56 locomotive engines, 43 of which will be for the main line use (heavy haulage for cargo), eight locomotives for shunting within rail yards and five locomotive engines for passenger service and coaches/carriageways.

There will be first, second and third class coach compartments.