Works to begin on a segment of the Northern Corridor

Last Updated 13 years ago by Kenya Engineer

The release of funds by the International Development Association (IDA) will see to the start of construction works of the Bachuma Gate-Maji ya Chumvi road. The road whose construction is set to ease traffic congestion on Mombasa Road is part of the great Northern Corridor. The 53.4 km road stretch located in the coast province will be constructed under the multi-billion Kenya Transport Sector Support Project (KTSSP).Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has already invited bids and the actual cost of the project will be known once the tendering process is complete. Works under the project will include replacement of unsuitable material, improvement of sub-grade, cold milling of existing pavement layers, provision of a regulating layer and drainage improvement. KTSSP funds are also being utilized in such projects in Kisumu-Kakamega-Webuye road, the proposed dueling of Athi River to Machakos and several overpasses in Nakuru. The entire KTSSP programme has seen theWorld Bank commit Sh79.3 billion in the improvement and upgrading of Kenyan roads. The bank last year approved Sh24.3 billion for reconstruction of Kenya’s major sections in the Northern corridor .The corridor starts in Mombasa proceeding all the way to the DRC though Uganda. The Bachuma Gate-Maji ya Chumvi road is also part of a wider ongoing Nairobi-Mombasa road Rehabilitation project(NMRRP).Essentially, the planned rehabilitation and overlay works would entail; additional surface on the existing 7m wide bitumen surfaced road; adding 2m wide shoulder; improving drainage by installing larger drainage structures; possible road re-alignment in small section near townships and construction of parking bays in Samburu and Mackinnon road townships. Funding for the project will be from roads maintenance fuel levy fund (RMFLF).