This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has moved to allay fears over the safety of the Njoro turn-off interchange overpass on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway after huge cracks were spotted on the newly-built structure.
According to KeNHA, the overpass has been assessed by engineers and found to be structurally safe, with a very low likelihood of deterioration or expansion of the cracks.
"The bridge has been inspected by our engineers who visited the area and it was established there is very low likelihood of deterioration or expansion of the cracks. The bridge's structure is safe for usage [by] vehicles of all load limits under the existing axle load limits in the country," said KeNHA's Assistant Director for Corporate Communication Charles Njogu.
KeNHA has announced plans to seal the cracks with a slurry seal as an immediate intervention to prevent any possibility of further cracking on the tarmac surface.
The authority explained that the expansion and contraction of the bridge beams, which caused the cracks, is a normal occurrence in bridges and structures due to adverse temperature variations.
KeNHA sought to reassure the public and motorists that the overpass is safe, explaining that the expansion and contraction does not affect its main body.
