Bunyala, Lusaka road roundabouts re-opened

An overview of Lusaka road Roundabout where the Nairobi city County has made some changes in an effort to ease traffic congestion in the city.[PHOTO DAVID NJAAGA/STANDARD]

Nairobi,Kenya: The government has re-opened Nairobi's Bunyala and Lusaka roundabouts in an effort to curb the traffic menace experienced in the last few days.

Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, Governor Evans Kidero said the move was a short-term solution as the county awaits the opening of the Southern Bypass on Friday.

Dr Kidero said all trailers are expected to start using the bypass from next week to ease traffic on Mombasa Road.

"We are expecting the bypass to be completed by Friday, since the contractors are working tirelessly to meet the deadline. After completion, all trailers will be directed to the bypass," he said.

Motorists using the road have been spending more hours on traffic jams during peak hours, a situation that has made a number of public service vehicles increase their fares by 50 per cent. Kidero said the government had allocated Sh25 million for the road's completion.

OBSERVE DISCIPLINE

According to the county government, it will cost Sh388 million to remove all roundabouts and the construction of signalised junctions.

"We have about 241 road junctions in Nairobi, which will all be covered by the project. Signalisation of the junctions will be done digitally, and is expected to be obeyed by all motorists," he said.

Acting Transport Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed asked motorists to be patient with the process, saying it will finally work.

"If we are to tackle traffic jams, then all motorists must observe discipline. We have experienced cases where a single vehicle causes confusion," he said.