The expansion of Ngong Road Phase 1 into a dual-carriageway was launched on Wednesday by President Uhuru Kenyatta in a move to help decongest Nairobi.
The President said smooth traffic will enable the country edge closer to 10 per cent annual GDP growth, reduce the number of hours wasted in jams and enable farmers access markets for their produce. He said this cost the country over Ksh 13 Billion annually.
The President spoke when he commissioned the expansion of the 2.6km Ngong Road into a dual carriageway.
That phase will run from the Kenya National Library to the Ring Road Junction in Kilimani.
The project is being undertaken by a Japanese construction firm, World Kaihatsu Kogyo (WKK) at a cost of KSh1.3 billion. It will also involve the installation of street lights, traffic signals and walkways for pedestrians.
The expansion started in April.
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On the other hand, engineering firm China Wu Yi Construction Company Limited has been contracted to expand the Nairobi-Nakuru highway at a cost of Sh 16.4 billion.
Other major roads being expanded to decongest the city include: Northern Bypass – linking Limuru Road to Thika Road, Eastern Bypass – linking Mombasa Road to Ruiru-Kiambu road near Kamiti prison and the Southern Bypass – run from Kikuyu to Mombasa Road via Ngong Road and Lang’ata.