Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-04-16 08:34:01
Motorists traveling along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway found themselves stuck in a frustrating traffic jam lasting over seven hours due to an accident that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, April 16. The incident involved three vehicles, causing a massive gridlock mainly concentrated around the Tsavo area that extended all the way to Mtito Andei.
Those heading towards Mombasa, including long-distance vehicles and trucks, experienced the brunt of the traffic congestion. Even some teachers en route to Mombasa for a retreat were caught in the standstill. Moi Kapsowar Girls’ School highlighted that the traffic jam at Mtito Andei compelled teachers to engage in physical exercises to combat fatigue during their journey.
In response to the situation, bus companies had to reschedule their trips for the day, urging travelers to consult with them before making any bookings in light of the ongoing delays. A bus company operating along the route issued a statement informing passengers of potential delays in arrivals and departures, promising to communicate any changes through SMS and calls to their customer care hotlines.
During this period of chaos, some vehicles resorted to using the roadsides, further exacerbating the traffic congestion. The recurring nature of such delays on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway prompted the government to make plans for dualing the highway to alleviate future traffic issues. Construction of the dual carriage is scheduled to begin in the 2026/2027 financial year, utilizing the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and implementing tolling on the road.
An artistic impression of the proposed Nairobi-Mombasa dual carriage shows the potential future state of the highway once the construction is completed. This infrastructure development aims to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the road, reducing the likelihood of prolonged traffic snarl-ups like the one experienced on April 16, 2024.
As the day progressed, the situation had not returned to normalcy, with vehicles still resorting to using the roadsides to navigate through the traffic. The prolonged delays highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure improvements on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway to ensure smoother and more efficient transportation for commuters and freight vehicles traveling between the two major cities.
In conclusion, the recent traffic gridlock on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway serves as a stark reminder of the importance of investing in infrastructure development to cater to the growing transportation needs of the country. The planned dual carriage project offers hope for a future with improved road connectivity and reduced travel times for motorists along this critical corridor.
Read the original article on Kenyans.co.ke
