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Phase 2 of Ngong Road Dualling Project Begins

The project will be completed in two years at a cost of Sh2.3 billion.

Updated

Ngong Road expansion project.
Ongoing works on Ngong Road in Nairobi. PHOTO | FILE

The second phase of dualling of Ngong Road is finally underway following the official opening of phase one of the multi-billion shilling project on Thursday last week.

The 3-kilometre road project that runs from Prestige Plaza to Dagoretti Corner was in January awarded to World Kaihatsu Kogyo Company Ltd., the Japanese firm that undertook the first phase of the development.

The project will be completed in two years at a cost of Sh2.3 billion, which has been granted by the Japanese government.

Construction of the first phase of the Ngong Road dualling project, which is also funded by Japan, has just been completed at a cost of Sh1.3 billion.

The road that stretches between Kenya National Library and Prestige Plaza was commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday last week, in an event that doubled up as the groundbreaking ceremony for phase two of the project.

According to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) acting director general Silas Kinoti, “the scope of works include construction of dual carriageway from the current single carriageway; improve junctions, Bus bays Non-Motorised Transport (NMT’s), Intelligent Transport System (ITS) for phase one and two and environmental protection.”

The project adds on to the third phase of Ngong Road expansion project – running from Dagoretti Corner to Karen Shopping Centre – which is currently underway at a cost of Sh1.98 billion.

The 9.8-kilometre segment, which is fully funded by the Kenyan government, is being undertaken by China Qinjian International Group.

Kura says the dualling of Ngong Road will provide a median to be developed later for Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) or light railway.

“It will also include the installation of street lights, intelligent Traffic signals and walkways for pedestrians,” Kura said in a past press briefing.

A BRT is a transit system designed to allow buses to run for a major part of their trip within a fully dedicated “right of way” to avoid traffic jam.

Albert Andeso holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nairobi. He has extensive experience in construction and has been involved in many roads, bridges, and buildings projects.