Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has notified motorists and other road users of planned traffic disruption at Haile Selassie Roundabout on Uhuru Highway.
In a notice on Thursday, August 29, 2024, KeNHA indicated that a section of the road will be closed for 45 days starting from Saturday, August 31, 2024, to Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
According to the Highways Authority, traffic disruption will be experienced along that stretch due to the planned construction of the pedestrian underpass.
“This traffic disruption is due to scheduled road works for the construction of a pedestrian underpass at the section which will commence from Saturday August 31, 2024 to Tuesday, October 15, 2024,” the statement from KeNHA read in part.
Traffic flow
Due to the anticipated traffic disruption, KeNHA directed motorists moving from Upperhill towards Waiyaki Way to use a diversion at Greenpark.
The notice further indicated that vehicles from Mombasa Road to Waiyaki Way will still use the diversion at Greenpark.
“Vehicles from Waiyaki Way to Mombasa Road to use diversion at Rubis Petrol Station.
Vehicles from CBD to Mombasa Road to use the diversion at Rubis Petrol Station or the Ring road behind Neno Evangelism Church,” the notice from KeNHA directed motorists.
However, KeNHA indicated that vehicles from Nairobi Central Business District towards Upperhill and from Upperhill to CBD will not be disrupted by the planned construction works.
During the construction period, traffic marshalls and police officers will be deployed around the area to help motorists to manoeuvre.
“KeNHA advises motorists to follow the proposed traffic management plan and cooperate with the police and traffic marshals on site,” the notice added.
Pedestrian underpass
The plans to build the underpass were initiated in June 2023 after the government through MyGov publication invited interested contractors to bid for the project.
In the publication, KeNHA indicated that the project had received a greenlight after the government set aside money under the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF).
“The Government of the Republic of Kenya (GoK) through its implementing agency, Kenya National Highways Authority, has set aside funds under the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) to engage a contractor and consulting firm to undertake the Works and Consultancy Services,” KeNHA stated at the time.
The underpass is meant to reduce human traffic around Haile Selassie Roundabout on Uhuru Highway.