The Sh 17 billion Western Bypass Road linking Gitaru and Ruaka areas of Kiambu County will be ready for use in December this year. Transport, Infrastructure and Housing Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said completion of the 17.6-kilometer road will end recurrent traffic snarl ups in Nairobi City as travelers from various parts of Mount Kenya region moving to Nakuru and other rift valley areas will have an alternative getaway.
Already, the government has so far acquired 20 acres of land along the major road whose owners have been compensated to allow for completion of the project which is 64 percent complete. The bypass which transverses the two sub counties of Kabete and Kiambaa is being done by China Road and Bridge Corporation.
Macharia stated that the government has invested heavily for a complete Nairobi Ring Road Network Master Plan. Other bypasses in the master plan include Southern Bypass, Northern Bypass, and Eastern Bypass.
Construction works for the Western Bypass which passes through Gitaru, Wangige, Ndenderu and Ruaka towns include the construction of a dual carriageway with a length of 15.3km and approximately 17.31km of service roads and construction of seven grade interchanges at Gitaru, Lower Kabete, Wangige, Kihara, Ndenderu, Rumenye and Ruaka. Ten overpasses and five underpasses will also be constructed alongside box culverts and storm water drainage systems which will be installed at designated areas.
The CS who spoke during the inspection of the road revealed that the government has already completed construction of other bypasses in the master plan, projects he said have significantly lessened traffic in the city. He said that the contractor has instructions from the ministry to have the dual-carriage project completed on time. Besides ending traffic challenges in Nairobi and parts of Kiambu, Macharia said that the key project which has been funded by the national government and China Exim Bank will increase Kenya’s foreign direct investment on matters of tourism thereby increasing the country’s economic growth and Nairobi City’s attractiveness.