New interchanges along Northern Corridor to improve users’ safety

Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has started improving key inter-sections along the Northern Corridor - from Mombasa to Malaba by changing the grade traffic flows to enhance road users' safety.

KeNHA Manager in Charge of Special Projects Eng Paul Omondi said the roads authority was prompted to construct three interchanges along the Northern Corridor at a cost of Sh2.6 billion to up the standards of road safety.

Regional integration

The works are jointly funded by the Government and World Bank. "The Government funded the design of the major junctions through the Kenya Transport Sector Support project, that gears to open up the Corridor to promote regional integration and economic development," Omondi said last week.

Some of the major works expected to be undertaken include the construction of a junction at Kunste, in Nakuru, which will entail construction of an overpass on the main highway and a roundabout underneath to allow movement of traffic in and out of the road. The carriageway will also be lifted with reinforced earth about 1.4km.

Works at the Njoro turnoff will include a trumpet designed inter-change that extends about 1km and a four-span bridge over the main road. There will be a junction at Mau Summit which, will include construction of an underpass through the main highway for pedestrians and a four span bridge over the main road.

SNA Civil & Structural Engineers Ltd has been tasked with reviewing of the design and construction supervision of the three interchanges. China Railways Engineering Group has been awarded the construction of actual works along the road at a contract cost of Sh2.6 billion, awaiting approval from the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Efforts have also been put on improving the condition of the Northern Corridor as a whole from Mombasa the years, black spots have developed at major intersections with recurring accidents, costing Kenyan lives and property.

Completion of road upgrades is expected to improve the flow of traffic, reduce accidents and support and boost regional integration and economic development.