KeNHA Closes Section Of Southern Bypass For 28 Days

To minimize the traffic disruption, the closure will involve one lane of each carriageway at a time.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Dec 27, 2023 - 17:44 Updated: Dec 27, 2023 - 17:47
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KeNHA Closes Section Of Southern Bypass For 28 Days
Warning road signs erected along the Southern Bypass on October 4, 2023. /KENHA

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has temporarily closed the Nairobi Southern Bypass for close to one month.

In a notice on Wednesday, December 27, the authority revealed that the closure would allow for the installation of a virtual weighbridge and will take effect from December 27 through to January 23, 2024.

"The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) wishes to notify the Public that a section of the Nairobi Southern Bypass (both bounds) between Lang'ata Interchange and Ngong Interchange will be closed.

"The closure will commence this December 27, 2023, to January 23, 2024. This is to allow for construction works for the installation of a Virtual Weighbridge along the section," stated KeNHA in part.

Notice indicating closure of Nairobi Southern Bypass from December 27, 2023. /KENHA KENYA

To minimize the traffic disruption, the closure will involve one lane of each carriageway at a time. This means that motorists will still have access to one lane on both bounds throughout the construction period.

"Motorists, therefore, are required to use one lane of each carriageway on both bounds.

"Road users are urged to exercise caution as they approach the section and to follow the traffic signs and guidance in place," added the notice.

The installation of the virtual weighbridge is considered important in enhancing road safety and monitoring vehicle weights.

The weighbridge is a proactive measure to monitor and enforce weight restrictions on commercial vehicles using the Nairobi Southern Bypass. Overloaded trucks pose a significant risk to road infrastructure and can compromise overall road safety.

How it Works

KeNHA's virtual weighbridge system runs on a high-speed weighing-in-motion (HSWIM) backbone which captures data from the sensors and cameras, classifies the vehicle and thereafter transmits the database for analyses to the control centre.

The control centre is housed at the Athi River Weighbridge and has processing units that analyse, store and allow access to the data through a web-based graphical user interface to the system operators, enforcement unit and the KeNHA officers in charge.

The system allows transmission of live data allowing the people in charge to use the data for enforcement purposes.

KeNHA plans to set up 26 virtual weighbridges across the country to enhance the monitoring of loads to minimise road damage, adding that the weighbridges will have a system including sensors and loops, scanners, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), overview and CCTV cameras.

Two of the virtual weighbridges will be installed along the Southern Bypass, two at Sagana in Kirinyaga, while others will be put at Kamulu, Yatta, Eldoret, Mayoni, Ahero, Kaloleni, Laisamis, Sabaki, Madogo (Garissa) and Mwatate.

They will also be installed at Kibwezi, Malili, Emali, Kajiado, Salgaa, Makutano, Mukumu, Cheptiret, Malaba, Eldama Ravine, Meru and Kamagambo.

KeNHA had invited bids for the installation of hardware and software and maintenance of the facilities.

“The overall objectives of the project are to attain a sustainable and safe road network by ensuring that the axle loads applied to road pavements are not exceeded, in order to minimise the damage to roads and bridges and level playing field for the conduct of transport business in and around the country,” said the authority.

By June 2021, KeNHA said it had 23 weighing stations, adding that they have been key to curbing overloading and that the additional weighbridges will drive compliance, especially considering that the road network is expanding.

A weighing station along the Southern Bypass. /FILE

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