The government has assured motorists plying the Ol Kalou–Engineer road that reconstruction of Thiitai bridge will be completed in three months’ time.
The bridge that was washed away by floods two months ago, has forced motorists to use the longer Wanjoji-Ndemi-Captain road with public service vehicles opting to drop passengers at the diversion section, to cross on foot.
County Commissioner (CC), Boaz Cherutich, who led the area County Development and Implementation Coordination Committeee (CDICC) in accessing the progress of the bridge and other national government projects in Nyandarua Central Sub County, called on the contractor to hasten the reconstruction.
“The contractor has agreed to do a makeshift bridge to enable mobility for passengers on foot and on motorcycles in the meantime, instead of having to use the longer route. Major road users, will however, continue using the diversion.
“We are pleased with the progress so far and are hoping the works will be done in three months to minimize the long suffering that residents and motorists have had to endure, while accessing Ol Kalau town,” added Cherutich.
He assured youths that both skilled and unskilled labour will also be available for them at the site and other projects adding, “The project will accommodate thirty more youths once the works begin.”
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Central Region Representative Engineer Itobi Newton noted that the new structure will be a stable box culvert, measuring five by two and a half metres, saying the road will soon be reinstated to its original status.
He added that other culverts and bridges on the road, were under assessment to ensure they are up to standard to withstand floods and heavy downpours that pound the region.
Kenneth Mungai, a youth in Ol Kalau’s Huruma informal settlement, lauded the government for the road projects, urging the government to consider labour based contracts that will allow them access jobs each time the government undertook a project.
The CDICC also inspected progress on Ol Kalau town roads that the contractor has lagged behind in their construction.
By Anne Sabuni
