Agency (JICA). The findings highlighted the inadequate urban transportation infrastructure and system with particular mention of the extremely poor service level and shortage of capacity along the Nairobi-Thika corridor. The section that was earmarked for expansion serves traffic from the built up areas of Kiambu, Muthaiga, Kasarani and its environs, Kahawa and its environs, Pangani, Ngara,Thika, Juja, Muranga and beyond. FINANCIERS In 2007, the government solicited a financial assistance of the Tunis-based African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, who gave a nod following an appraisal of the project in the same year. Lot 1 and Lot 2 was jointly financed by an AfDB (African Development Bank) loan and grant, and the Government of Kenya. Lot 3 has been financed by EXIM Bank of China and the Government of Kenya. Objectives of the project The overall objectives of the project are to: Improve road transport services along the Nairobi-Thika corridor and enhance urban mobility by reducing traffic congestion,Enhance the accessibility, affordability and reliability of the transport infrastructure system to promote socio-economic development of the country, Contribute to the development of a sustainable urban public transit system for the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, Improve land transport between Kenya and Ethiopia and contribute to regional integration, Promote private sector participation in the management, operation and financing of road infrastructure in Kenya. Implementation of the Project To accommodate the existing and future traffic, the highway was redesigned to include construction of additional lanes, and strengthening of existing carriageway, underpass and overpass in some sections and removal of intersections at several locations to be replaced by interchanges. The contract for its improvement was divided into three lots to heighten its implementation.
June 2013
Lot 1 comprise of three city arterial connector; Connector 1: Running from Museum Hill Interchange through Forest Road to Muthaiga. The works involved widening of Forest Road to six lanes from four lanes, widening of Museum Hill road to six lanes and provision of fly-over on Limuru Road. Connector 2: Runs from University way, through Pangani to end at Muthaiga. The works involved widening of University Way to eight lanes from six, constructing a four lane fly over across Globe Roundabout, widening of Murang’a Road to six lanes, an underpass, overpass and foot bridge at Pangani and an interchange to replace the Muthaiga roundabout. Connector 3: Haile Selassie Avenue - Race course road & Ring Road Ngara from Uhuru Highway to Pangani Interchange. Lot 2: The Muthaiga roundabout-Kenyatta University (KU) section was designed as a highspeed highway with limited access and exits. The improvements on this section included widening of carriageway to eight lanes- (between Muthaiga and Kasarani) and 6 lanes (from Kasarani to Kenyatta University). Lot 3: Starting from Kenyatta University-Thika. The works involved widening the carriageway to six lanes up to Juja and maintaining the existing provision of service roads, construction of a flyover at the Eastern Bypass and an underpass at Ruiru sports club. The project has also provides service roads intermittently, construction of underpasses at Kahawa and KU, provision of interchange at former GSU roundabout, flyovers at Kasarani and Githurai roundabouts, underpass at former Nakumatt Thika Road site and a subway at Survey of Kenya. The project has provided for 18 pedestrian crossings spread across the entire projects. The crossings are strategically located around highly
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