The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced a two-week closure of a section of the Southern Bypass to allow for critical rehabilitation and reconstruction work.
The affected section spans both sides of the road from the Ole Sereni Interchange to the Ngong Road Interchange. The closure will commence on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at 8:00 PM and is set to conclude on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at midnight.
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
According to KeNHA, the closure is necessary to rehabilitate the expansion joints of all bridges along the closed section. Additionally, the concrete pavement of the Virtual Weighbridge in this area will undergo reconstruction to enhance its durability and performance.
“This is to enable the rehabilitation of the expansion joints of all the bridges along the closed section as well as the reconstruction of concrete pavement of the Virtual Weighbridge,” KeNHA stated in a notice.
Traffic Diversions
During the closure, traffic will be redirected to alternative routes, including Mombasa Road, Lang’ata Road, and Ngong Road. KeNHA has urged motorists to follow the traffic management plan and cooperate with traffic marshals and police on-site to ensure smooth navigation during this period.
“Motorists are requested to exercise caution around the work areas, follow the proposed traffic management plan, and cooperate with the police and traffic marshals on-site,” the authority added.
Tolling Policy Consideration
This announcement follows recent discussions by KeNHA regarding the potential introduction of a tolling policy for major roads in the country. Roads under consideration for tolling include the Nairobi Southern Bypass and the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway.
KeNHA has assured the public that any tolling policy will be subject to adequate public participation before implementation.
The rehabilitation work on the Southern Bypass aims to improve the structural integrity and usability of the road, ensuring safer and smoother travel for motorists once the section reopens.
