The government is constructing a Greenpark Terminus Pedestrian Underpass Network along the Uhuru Highway-Haile Selassie intersection roundabout in Nairobi at a cost of Ksh. 2,017,116,059 to address the pedestrian traffic conflict and time delays.
Engineer Jared Makori from Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) said the project, which is funded by the government through the Road Maintenance Levy Fund, will enhance safety for all road users and provide a safe environment for business activities.
He stated, “We expect the 32% completion of underpass works to enhance economic sector performance and social service delivery in Nairobi’s Central Business District.”
Moreover, Eng. Makori disclosed that over 21,000 pedestrians use the Uhuru Highway-Haile Selassie intersection roundabout per day, while pedestrians crossing the road during peak hours total 8,500.
However, other benefits of the underpass include reduced travel times, which will lead to faster and more efficient transport services and improved logistics, promotion of sustainable transportation and development, and job creation during construction works.
Eng. Makori made the remarks during the National Government Development Regional/County Implementation Coordination and Management Committee (NGD-RICMC) during a meeting held at the Regional Commissioner’s Boardroom, Nyayo House, and later at the underpass site where the committee visited to check on the progress of the project.
The project whose construction works are being undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (Kenya) commenced on 13th March 2024 and is expected to be complete by 13th March 2025.
Eng. Makori told the NGD-RICMC committee being chaired by Nairobi Regional Commissioner Katee Mwanza that was attended by Nairobi County Commissioner David Wanyonyi, Director Delivery Service for Nairobi and Central Regions Mr. Jonah Orumoi, and Department Heads that the project that is adjacent to the Nairobi Expressway will have four underpasses with a total length of 176 meters without stairs.
Both underpass 1 across Haile Selassie Avenue and underpass 2 across Uhuru Highway on Mombasa Bound are 106 meters; underpass 3 across Haile Selassie Avenue on the Upperhill side is 29.6 meters, while underpass 4 across Uhuru Highway on the Westlands Bound side is 40.4 meters, respectively.
In his remarks, Regional Commissioner Mwanza called upon departmental heads and other public officers in the region delegated with the responsibility of implementing government projects to ensure that the projects are completed as per the stipulated period.
By Bernadette Khaduli
