Figure 4.44 Rainwater flowing in the streets during a rain shower (two images left) and roof downpipes and sewer pipe draining to the open channel (right

4.4.2.3  Project 11: Ring Road

Project overview

Lamu Town has a very limited road network to support existing travel demand, and this puts pressure on the current road infrastructure. At present, the town has only one road suitable for motor vehicles along the seafront, Corniche Path, which runs from Wiyoni Village to Lamu Town, and which acts as an open channel for commercial and movement activities.

Besides this, the rest of the town is supported by narrow streets that allow for non-motorised and animal transport, particularly donkeys. The constrained transport network forces most of the traffic onto the Corniche Path, which is a focal point for socialization and unloading boats. This exacerbates the conflict between the different uses and users such as humans, animals, carts and boda bodas.

To address this, alternative connections are needed to divert traffic, particularly, cargo traffic, away from the Corniche Path, main street, and centre of the town and improve accessibility within the town. These ring roads within Lamu island can offer the required accessibility to various key activities particularly, commercial, farmlands, and touristic locations.

This proposal looks at upgrading two ring roads, an inner circumferential road of the heritage site and another circumferential road linking the proposed Wiyoni cargo jetty to Langoni cargo jetty and extending further to Shella Village.

The redevelopment would provide for a wider right of way (RoW) to allow boda bodas, tuk-tuks, carts and lightweight freight vehicles to operate with minimal conflicts, improve accessibility and reduce the cost of transport on the island. Improvements to adjoining links would need to be considered with dedicated unloading and loading points at strategic locations along the roads to serve businesses and residents within the town. This redevelopment will be critical in supporting the County’s plans to manage the movement of cargo between the two jetties, Wiyoni and Langoni, and prevent intrusion into the regenerated waterfront areas.

The project will be structured in to five 5 components:

> A feasibility study to determine the road alignment, current and future transport demand and user requirements, environmental and resettlement requirements; > A preliminary design to determine the required RoW and land acquisition; > A detailed road design with bill of quantities (BoQ), project costing, and construction tendering plan; > The actual construction and supervision for works; and > The development of road maintenance plan.

The project will also incorporate other components such as NMT provisions and landscaping features, such as planting of trees to ensure accessibility for all modes of transport.

Around 6 km of road has been identified for upgrading, however, the final size of the road would need to be determined by the feasibility study.

Location

The location of the ring roads is as shown in the Figure 4.44 right.

Linkages

This proposal supports the SUED principles of urbanization, sustainability, economic viability, and social inclusion.

Figure 4.44 Proposed ring roads

Source: Atkins analysis

Table 4.35 Project 11 summary information

Sub-components

A feasibility study to determine the road alignment, current and future transport demand and user requirements, environmental and resettlement requirements A preliminary design to determine the required RoW and land acquisition requirements Detailed road design with bill of quantities (BoQ), project costing, and construction tendering plan Actual construction and supervision for works

Assessment of defects/ liability (12 months after completion of construction) Development of road maintenance plan Tree planting to provide walkable environment

NMT provisions (inclusive in the road costs) Estimated cost (KES range)

Total cost = KES 683 million

Feasibility study - KES 8 million

Preliminary and detailed design (including BoQ and tendering) - KES 60 million

Construction - KES 600 million

Tree planting - KES 15 million

Annual OPEX (Maintenance) - KES 30 million per year (5% of the total construction cost per annum) Reduced transport cost Improved accessibility of Lamu island

Improved land value KURA road agency LC Government

Development partners i.e., FCDO, WB etc Implementing agency will be the Municipality They will complete the pre-feasibility study and provide the land to the developer

Source: Atkins analysis Table 4.36 Project 11 basic analysis and timeline Benefits and impacts Financing options and delivery mechanisms Implementation agency and stakeholders

Challenges

Land acquisition Cost benefit analysis needed for the road infrastructure

Limited financing/ no available funds to commit to the road improvements/ land acquisition Medium-term

Alternative transport modes are needed to address the high cost of transport. In addition, road infrastructures are known to open areas for development and improving accessibility. Lamu Island need this critical link and it is important for the county to commit to undertaking a feasibility study in the short-term

Source: Atkins analysis Data gaps Time frame, key dependencies