By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with LINDWE DANFLOW
Published on 2024-01-20 06:34:32
The trial operation for the Nairobi Expressway Haile Selassie Exit Plaza is about to begin. Moja Expressway has announced that the trial operations will start on Saturday, January 20, 2024, with Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen scheduled to launch it.
The Haile Selassie Exit Plaza, which has five lanes, aims to alleviate traffic congestion between Capital and Haile Selassie Roundabout. Additionally, the new Expressway exit plaza will provide smooth access to Nairobi CBD, Upper Hill, and Ngong Road.
Transport and Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had previously assured that the new Expressway exit would be ready by the middle of January. He also emphasized that the project, with its five lanes, will help reduce congestion and improve traffic flow within the city. Plans are also in place to add two more lanes to the Museum Hill exit.
Murkomen praised the project, highlighting its impact on travel time and employment. He noted that the expressway has significantly reduced travel time from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Nairobi, from two hours to just 20 minutes, at no cost to taxpayers. The project has also generated employment opportunities, employing 6,000 Kenyans during its construction and now having 500 permanent employees.
In addition, Murkomen emphasized the success of the e-ticketing system, with 200,000 subscribers enrolled in the past 19 months. The road has also seen a high demand, carrying 26 million vehicles, therefore proving its necessity.
The Nairobi Expressway has not only brought socioeconomic benefits but has also facilitated technology transfer to Kenya. Its smart traffic monitoring system, with a 360-degree view of the entire road, has improved security and emergency response. The success of the project has led to an increase in demand for similar projects, prompting consideration for the dualling of the Rironi-Mau Summit road, which is set to begin the following year.
A long-term plan to develop roads across the country is currently underway as a result of the project’s success. The Nairobi Expressway serves as a shining example of what private-public partnerships can achieve.
Read the original article on The Star
