Ngong Road Expansion Nears Completion, Promising Major Traffic Relief
An aerial view of the new Ngong Road undergoing construction.
The expansion of Ngong Road, one of Nairobi’s busiest transport corridors, has reached 90 per cent completion, with contractors assuring motorists that the remaining works are being undertaken at night to minimise disruption.
The project, which includes the Junction Mall flyover, is expected to significantly ease chronic traffic congestion in Nairobi’s south-western corridor once completed.
Pablo Acosta, Project Director at Centurion Construction, said major structural works have already been finalised, including the erection of the steel structure for the flyover.
“The progress is going very well. We have completed the steel structure erection, and most of this work was done at night to minimise traffic impact for motor vehicles,” Acosta said.
The viaduct, which forms the core of the project, measures 450 metres and is part of an 820-metre dual carriageway when combined with inbound and outbound approaches. Upon completion, it will feature two lanes in each direction, a pedestrian walkway, a bicycle path, and improved urban landscaping, including street and traffic lighting.
Acosta noted that the remaining works include construction of the concrete deck, embankment ramps, roadworks, and finishing touches such as pedestrian and cycling lanes, landscaping, and urbanisation.
“We are currently at around 90 per cent progress. We expect to complete the project by mid next year, hopefully by June or July 2026,” he added.
To reduce inconvenience to road users, heavy construction activities are largely carried out at night.
“We work during the night because lifting operations using two cranes require closing one side of the road at a time. Doing this during the day would cause too much disruption,” Acosta explained.
Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) Engineer Wilfred Oginga said the project is funded by the Spanish government at a cost of 225 million Euros, approximately Sh3.8 billion, and is being implemented by Centurion Construction.
“The project involves a 450-metre-long viaduct and a dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction. When combined with the approaches, the total bridge length is about 820 metres,” Oginga said.
Once completed, the flyover is expected to dramatically cut travel time from Ngong Town to Nairobi’s Central Business District from the current average of two hours for a 26-kilometre journey to about 25 minutes. The project will also improve connectivity along Naivasha and Magadi roads, linking Bomas of Kenya to Ongata Rongai, Lang’ata Road, Karen Shopping Centre, and Ngong.
Acosta expressed confidence that the project will soon be ready for handover to KURA.
“I believe the project will greatly relieve congestion, especially during rush hours and festive periods,” he said.
