Nairobi Expressway: First Expressway in East and Central Africa
T
he Nairobi Expressway Project is a 27.1km road project beginning from Mlolongo through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Nairobi’s CBD to Westland’s area along Waiyaki Way. The over Ksh 60 billion road project is the first major project in the Kenya to be carried out through a PPP model and the first Expressway in East and Central Africa. The project broke ground in October 2019 with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) as the contractor. CRBC is responsible for the design, financing, and construction of the road under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework. The company will also operate the road for about 27 years so as to recoup its investment through the collection of road tolls. The project The Nairobi Expressway includes a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway within the existing median of Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, and Waiyaki Way as well as 10 interchanges. The section between the Eastern and Southern bypasses will is a six-lane dual carriageway while the section from to the Eastern Bypass and that from the Southern Bypass to James Gichuru is a four-lane dual carriageway.
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CR | May/June 2022
The elevated highway begins near Ole Sereni Hotel and run through the CBD along the Uhuru highway up to the James Gichuru junction. Haile Selassie Road, Kenyatta Avenue, and University Way are below the elevated road. How the expressway will operate Moja Expressway, a subsidiary of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), will operate the road for 27 years to recoup the construction funds through toll fees. The company has provided safety tips to ensure the expressway runs smoothly. Motorists using the Nairobi Expressway will be required to move at a speed of 80km/h once opened to the public. Taking U-turns and reversals is prohibited on the expressway, with motorists who miss the planned exit required to proceed to the next toll station to exit. Several activities have also been prohibited on the expressway, including graffiti and scribbling on expressway property and setting up billboards without prior authorization Stealing and damaging properties as well as construction without permission is also not allowed. Any form of speed test and race is prohibited along the expressway. Motorists have also been banned from driving along the emergency lane set www.constructionreviewonline.com
