The Likoni Road Bridge Project has been in the sharp focus of Kenya’s National Assembly Public Investments Committee. Members of parliament were worried about the slow pace of the project during an inspection tour of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA). According to an Auditor General’s report, the project began five years ago with a one-year deadline but is still incomplete. The Likoni Road Bridge Project is one of the larger road upgrades in the Nairobi Lot 2 contract. The project also entails the improvement of Shreeji Road and parts of Enterprise Road.
The government hired a contractor for Ksh892.6 million, but only 86 percent of the project has been completed. The delay has moved the completion four years beyond the planned time. In addition, a three-year maintenance deal for Ksh13 million has not been met. KURA Director General Eng Silas Kinoti defended the agency, citing major completed works. However, lawmakers demanded accountability and urged full project completion by June 2025.
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Project Factsheet
Significance:
- Aims to ease traffic congestion in Nairobi’s Industrial Area.
- Part of a broader road improvement initiative under the Nairobi Lot 2 upgrade.
- Seeks to improve transport flow for businesses and commuters.
Infrastructure:
- Involves constructing and upgrading Likoni Road, Enterprise Road, and Shreeji Road.
- Includes a bridge section with a remaining 0.18 km overlay.
- Incorporates a Performance-Based Contract (PBC) for three years of maintenance.
Developer:
- Implemented by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA).
- Project oversight involves collaboration with the Kenya Railways Corporation.
- KURA is responsible for completing construction and coordinating budget adjustments.
Funding:
- The government allocated Ksh892.6 million for construction.
- Maintenance contract valued at Ksh13,250,790 included in the project scope.
- Additional funding may be required due to new bridge expansion requirements.
Challenges:
- The project is four years behind schedule despite having a one-year completion timeline.
- Only 86 percent of the project has been completed.
- New design requirements from Kenya Railways, including raising the bridge, caused delays.
- Uncertainty over budget adjustments for expanded works has hindered progress.
Scope of Implementation on the Likoni Road Bridge Project
The Likoni Road Bridge project is designed to ease traffic congestion in Nairobi’s busy Industrial Area. It includes expanding and resurfacing Shreeji Road, Enterprise Road, and Likoni Road. The project also aims to improve transport links for businesses and commuters. However, new technical requirements from Kenya Railways disrupted the original scope. The need to raise the bridge height by 2 meters for electric trains caused delays.
KURA clarified that the extra cost for the expansion was not factored into the original budget. As a result, joint funding negotiations with Kenya Railways had to be done. Despite the delays, Kinoti clarified that only a 0.18 km overlay remains at the bridge section. Legislators stated that the Likoni Road Bridge Project must bring value to citizens. Though alignment of the electric railway may take long, MPs expect things to move without delay. The Likoni Road Bridge Project remains a key part of Nairobi’s infrastructure upgrade and national development goals.
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