Ngong Road Expansion 90% Complete as Night Work Minimises Disruption to Commuters
An aerial view of the new Ngong Road undergoing construction.
The expansion of Ngong Road, one of Nairobi’s busiest transport corridors, is now 90 per cent complete, with authorities assuring that the remaining works are being carried out at night to minimise disruption to commuters.
The project is expected to significantly ease the chronic traffic congestion that has long plagued the South-Western part of the city.
Pablo Acosta, Project Director at Centurion Construction, the company handling the Junction Mall flyover, expressed confidence in the project’s progress.
“As of the moment, the progress is going very well. We have completed the steel structure erection. We completed this job at night to minimise the traffic impact for motor vehicles,” he said.
The viaduct, which forms the core of the expansion, measures 450 metres long and is part of an 820-metre dual carriageway including inbound and outbound approaches.
Once completed, it will feature two lanes in each direction, a pedestrian lane, a bicycle path, and enhanced urban landscaping, including traffic and street lights.
“We have around 90% of progress right now. The only remaining parts to be finished are the concrete deck, the ramp to the embankment, and roadworks. Other works include the pedestrian lane, bicycle path, urbanisation, and landscaping. We expect to finish the project by mid next year, hopefully by June or July 2026,” Acosta added.
Pablo Acosta, Project Director at Centurion Construction, overseeing the Junction Mall flyover, speaks on the progress of the ongoing projec.
To ensure minimal disruption, heavy construction is largely done at night. “We work during the night to minimise traffic impact. We are lifting with two cranes, which requires closing one side at a time. If we did this during the day, it would cause too much disruption,” he explained.
Engineer Wilfred Oginga of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority highlighted the technical details and funding of the project.
“This project is funded by the Spanish government to the tune of 225 million Euros, approximately Ksh 3.8 billion, and the work is being undertaken by Centurion Construction Company,” Eng. Oginga said.
He further explained that the project involves constructing a 450-metre-long viaduct, a dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction.
“When you combine that with the inbound and outbound approaches, the total length of the bridge is approximately 820 metres,” he added.
Once complete, the flyover is expected to reduce commute times from Ngong Town to Nairobi’s Central Business District, from the current two hours for 26 kilometres, to about 25 minutes.
The project will also improve connectivity along Naivasha and Magadi Roads, linking Bomas of Kenya to Ongata Rongai, and extending through Lang’ata Road from Bomas to Karen Shopping Centre and onward to Ngong.
Acosta expressed optimism that the completed project could soon be handed over to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) for public use.
“I believe the project will help a lot to relieve congestion, especially during rush hours and festive periods,” he concluded.
