This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
Published on July 24, 2019, motorists plying roads in Nairobi's Eastlands are preparing for a four-day inconvenience as the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) announced the closure of Outering Road for a bridge construction project.
The road closure, which began on Thursday, has led to diversions being provided by KURA, with the authority urging motorists to comply with instructions from traffic marshals. The affected area is located between Nairobi River and the North Airport Road roundabout.
According to KURA, the public is being asked to be patient as the authority works to improve road safety and efficiency. The statement added, 'We urge members of the public to be patient as we strive to improve our roads and to ensure they are safe and efficient.'
The road closure is part of a larger project to improve road infrastructure in the area, which has been marred by shoddy work by the Chinese contractor, Sino Hydro Tianjin Engineering Limited. The contractor's failure to provide adequate sidewalks, emergency lanes, markings, and signage has led to numerous accidents, resulting in the deaths of scores of pedestrians.
Additionally, a National Transport and Safety Authority report revealed that 23 people were killed along the road in the first five months of last year. The design of the road at crucial sections, such as the Donholm roundabout, has also been an issue due to frequent traffic gridlocks.
As part of the improvement project, KURA plans to construct 11 footbridges at a cost of Ksh 880 million.
Outering Road serves as a vital traffic tributary to other key thoroughfares, including the Thika superhighway, Jogoo Road, Mombasa Road, Kangungo Road, Manyanja Road, North Airport Road, and Lunga Lunga Road.
