Section Of Eastern Bypass To Be Closed For 3 Days: Here's Why

The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has announced that part of the Eastern bypass will be closed for a period of three days.

In a notice shared on Sunday, January 29, KURA revealed that there will be traffic disruptions along the road which will specifically affect the stretch from China Roads and Bridges Corporation (CRBC) site camp to the Embakasi barracks heading towards Mombasa Road.

The temporary closure will last between Monday, January 30 and Wednesday, February 1.

A notice showing the intended partial closure of the Eastern Bypass for road works. /KURA

"We wish to notify the general public that there will be traffic disruption along Eastern Bypass from 6 AM Monday 30th January 2023 till 6 PM Wednesday 1st February 2023.

"This is to allow the contractor to lay the final surface dressing at the section between Embakasi Barracks and CRBC site camp," KURA stated in part.

With the disruption, motorists using the outbound lane would be forced to share the road with those approaching the roundabout along the affected section.

"Motorists are advised to drive with caution as they approach the section, traffic marshals and police will be on-site to guide motorists so as to enable a smooth flow of traffic. Kindly bear with the situation as we endeavour to Enhance Urban Mobility," added KURA.

A section of Kenyans however questioned the timing of the exercise, noting that it should have been carried out during the night hours or scheduled for the holidays to avoid the increase in traffic jams, especially during peak hours.

The only alternative route is to turn at the Astrol petrol station junction and rejoin the bypass at the Donholm junction, which is longer than the section closed in terms of distance and time.

On July 31, 2022, former President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass which includes five new major vehicular crossings and six-lane dual carriageways at the busy sections of the road, an expansion which KURA had in October 2022 set January 15 as the completion date.

He expressed optimism that the bypass road will significantly address the nightmare of traffic gridlocks in Nairobi estimated to cost the nation over Ksh5 billion annually in lost productivity time and wasted fuel.

The Eastern Bypass runs from the Cabanas junction along Mombasa Road all the way to Membley in Ruiru, connecting the Thika Superhighway.

It was conceptualised to give an easier route to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Nairobi CBD for residents living in Utawala, Ruai, along Thika Road in Ruiru, Embakasi among others.

Part of the expanded Eastern Bypass. /CONSTRUCTION KENYA SHOWCASE