Upper Hill is set to be the country’s next business hub or say, the country’s next Manhattan. To facilitate this, the government via, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) is working on roads to facilitate transportation to and from the area. KURA today held a press briefing on the progress of works at the Upper Hill roads.
The project which is currently on phase one is set to take 24 months with twelve months already elapsed with works at 38 per cent. The project covers Hospital Road, Elgon Road, Kilimanjaro Road, Bunyala Road, Mara road and upper Hill Roads. The roads cover a distance of 5.4km in total.
“So far the contractor has excavated top soils, filled several layers of the base and has started preparing for tarmacking in sections like in Elgon Road”, said the General Manager, Eng.John Mwatu.
The scope of works in the first phase include the construction of 2 way 2 lane (7 meters) road with a median separator, cycle tracks, footpaths drainage structures and street lighting.“This will be the Phase one of the expected overhaul of roads infrastructure in the Upper Hill area”, said Eng.Mwatu.
Due to the strategic positioning of the ‘city’, it has in the recent past experienced abrupt growth with business institutions relocating their headquarters to Upper Hill. The region is envisioned to be a Future Financial Capital of East African Region.
“Upper Hill has experienced unprecedented construction of high-rise buildings and conversion of old residential buildings to new offices”, pointed the General Manager.
Other identified future business and commercial hubs under the Vision 2030 include Eastleigh. It is intended that these upgrading of the roads will spur economic activity and decongest the Nairobi Central Business District as well as attract investment.
Under the Phase two of the project, works will include re-construction and upgrading of; Chyulu,Menengai,Mawenzi,Masaba,Kiambere,Ole Sangale,Karuri Gakure,Kenya Road,Missing Links I,II and III,parts of Hospital Road,Mara road,Upper Hill and Lower Hill roads. They total to an approximate length of 13km.
The Government is funding the whole project at a total cost of Ksh2billion with completion set on May 2014.