SIX MONTHS TO GO FOR COMPLETION OF NEW THIKA HIGHWAY
Information emerged from Nairobi overnight that Kenyas national highway authority has now set a completion date for the new highway from Nairobi to Thika as March 2012. The project is one of Kenyas major infrastructural investments in linking the capital to the countryside and decongest the city and reduce rush hour commuting time. Sections of the road are already being used and key components, like the inner city Globe roundabout and flyover will be opened by the end of this year.
Nairobis residential areas have pushed further and further into the surrounding countryside and in particular the route to the industrial municipality of Thika has seen more and more traffic in recent years. From the current 4 lane highway the new construction will eventually offer a total of 8 lanes for motorists. The roads out of the city, including the start of the Mombasa highway from Nairobi to the Athi River turnoff, and the planned construction of a new bypass to have heavy traffic destined for the Western part of the country and the African hinterland countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Eastern Congo and Southern Sudan avoid the city centre, will bring long hoped for relief for commuters and city residents, but also facilitate the swift exit into the country by tourists when starting their safari tours after spending a night or two in Nairobi on arrival. Cant wait to drive on these new roads when they are ready says this correspondent in closing.
