The government has commenced the design and feasibility study for the proposed 60-kilometre Nairobi-Thika Expressway, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced.
The elevated expressway is planned to run above the existing Thika Superhighway, linking Thika town to Museum Hill in Nairobi and connecting directly to the Nairobi Expressway.
Speaking in Kiambu County on Tuesday, October 6, Kindiki said the project would provide an additional route for motorists travelling between Nairobi and Thika as the government seeks to address congestion along the busy corridor.
“We are undertaking the design and feasibility study for the construction of the Nairobi-Thika Expressway," Kindiki announced.
"The expressway will be elevated above the current Thika Road and will begin from Thika town and end at Museum Hill, joining directly to the Nairobi Expressway which begins at the JKIA," he added.
The feasibility study will determine the preferred route, engineering requirements, expected traffic capacity and projected construction costs. It will also examine the project's environmental and social impact, as well as land requirements.
Engineers will further assess traffic volumes along the Nairobi-Thika corridor to determine how the elevated road could increase capacity and ease pressure on the existing highway.
Preliminary estimates put the cost of the proposed expressway at between Ksh150 billion and Ksh200 billion. The project is expected to be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
The latest development comes months after President William Ruto announced plans for the project, saying construction would commence in September as part of measures to tackle persistent traffic congestion between Nairobi and Thika.
Kiambu Road Expansion
Kindiki also announced that the government had awarded a contract for the expansion of Kiambu Road from Muthaiga to Kiambu town into a dual carriageway.
The Deputy President said the project was part of wider efforts to expand road capacity and improve connectivity within Kiambu and Nairobi.
He also provided an update on the Rironi-Mau Summit highway, saying the first section linking Rironi to Naivasha would be completed by December.
According to Kindiki, the project is expected to improve the movement of motorists and goods along the busy corridor connecting Nairobi to the Rift Valley.
"That highway alone has cost the government Ksh200 billion and will cut across the Rift Valley region through Mau Summit. That road is under construction," he said.
"The first section from Rironi to Naivasaha and the Mau Maihiu route will be complete by December this year so that motorists can pass and goods can be transported," he added.
