[desert burner]

ON Tuesday the Cabinet approved the introduction of urban road tolls for the three bypasses that are about to be built in Nairobi as well as a raised highway that will run from Nyayo Stadium to Westlands roundabout.
This positive development should be applauded by all road users. The Gilgil road toll was abandoned some years ago in favour of a general road levy but that was a monopoly. The Gilgil toll could not be avoided by anyone travelling to western Kenya and Central Africa.
The Nairobi bypass road tolls will be optional. Road users will have the choice between paying to travel on the rapid bypass or. using the old congested roads. It will therefore create more choice in the Kenyan economy.
The tolls do not need to delay traffic either So long as they are automated and can accept coins, traffic will flow swiftly through the toll stations, as it does in France, USA and other countries charging road users.
If the Nairobi experiment is a success, as it surely will be, it will open up the possibility of public-private premierships where useful new roads can be built by the private sector who will then recover their investment from tolls on the road users.


http://multimedia.marsgroupkenya.org/?StoryID=261180
In Video

 

[desert burner]

Construction of a series of roads in Kenya's capital Nairobi to ease congestion will also see the introduction of toll charges following Cabinet approval. The government will approach an investor to build, operate and charge motorists who use an elevated road from Nyayo Stadium to Museum Hill roundabout as well as the Southern Bypass.
Heavy loads

A statement after Tuesday's Cabinet meeting said ministers approved the Nairobi Urban Toll Road Concession and the decision will be sent to Parliament as stipulated by the Public Road Tolls Act. The concession will cover the stretch from the Machakos turn-off to the interchange at Athi River to Westlands and up to Rironi, meaning motorists from Mombasa and those from towns beyond Rironi will pay for using the road.

Users of the entire stretch are mostly long-haul transporters, whose heavy loads damage roads most. The money is earmarked for road maintenance, though the main aim of the bypass project is to decongest Nairobi roads. The Nairobi Urban Toll programme includes the Southern Bypass from St James Hospital in Mombasa Road to Kikuyu.

The government is yet to secure funding for the bypass that starts at the former American embassy and runs through the Nairobi National Park before crossing Lang'ata Road above Uhuru Gardens. It then runs above Kibera, through Ngong Forest to Dagoretti and Thogoto and currently terminates behind Alliance High School as the land is yet to be fully acquired. The bypass will occupy 40 hectares of Nairobi National Park to allow clearance for the Wilson Airport runway.

Work on the Northern and Eastern bypasses is also underway. Cabinet also approved the Kenya Pipeline Company capacity enhancement project to improve movement of oil from Mombasa to Nairobi and Western terminals in Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and neighbouring countries.

 

[Kwame]

Wow, awesome news. Kenya seems very serious about getting her infrastructure back in order.

 

[Kenguy]

Wow, awesome news. Kenya seems very serious about getting her infrastructure back in order.

Only wish it had started 10-20 years ago.

 

[mkenya]

Only wish it had started 10-20 years ago.

We were still in the dark ages of dictator Moi those days my friend...Many Kenyan roads were said to have been tarmacked..on paper..and contractors paid..but nothing had been done...But let us see how it goes.

 

[Kenguy]

I got hold of a map showing the locations of the toll plazas to be built sometime this year. (for highways A109 to A104/ Mombasa road-Nakuru road). The big circle shows the proposed Uhuru highway overpass (No.4). Road number 7 is the southern by-pass.

 

[areba]

Yawah, so how does this work? i carry a stack of coins on my way to visit magokoro in gusiiland? and how many do i pay for along the way?

 

[kijana]

i just hope they use the money gained from the toll properly like maintaining the roads and highways...
DOWN WITH CORRUPTION!!!!!!!!! :bash:

 

[Kenguy]

World Bank gives conditions for city road project

Business Daily,
Thursday
February 3, 2011.

The World Bank has issued a conditional offer to finance the construction of a multi-billion shilling pay-for-use road to ease traffic jams around Nairobi.

Country representative Johannes Zutt, said the institution would only finance the project once the selected contractor-Strabag International complied with its social and environmental safeguards including land acquisition and legal provisions in Kenya.

“If the government of Kenya so desires, the World Bank Group would be prepared to finance a concession undertaken by Strabag, on the condition that Strabag agrees to expand its integrity compliance procedures and training programmes to cover the company more completely,” he said in a statement on Wednesday without expounding.

The project dubbed Nairobi Toll Road (NTR) would entail paving of the 77-kilometre road between the Athi River Junction on Mombasa Road and Kikuyu on Naivasha Highway.

Though the project was to be started two years ago the ground breaking is yet to come to fruition after the World Bank raised several objections over Strabag’s involvement.

That prompted an evaluation of among other things Strabag’s ownership amid World Bank concerns that some business the Russian businessman had interests in one of the consortium members.

On Wednesday, Mr Zutt said the due diligence exercise had revealed some “irregularities” that Strabag would be required before the World Bank could unlock finances for the Sh67billion project.

“The World Bank found that the systems and approach to compliance procedures would not be commensurate with the circumstances of this project and the governance risks facing this sector. Accordingly, the World Bank Group is not prepared to participate in financing the consortium involved in this project as currently structured,” he said.

Analysts said the stand by the World Bank is expected to add pressure on the government that is currently under immense pressure to complete the project.

Roads minister Franklin Bett last month said the government would bring on board new partners if the tussle between the financiers and the contractors was not resolved quickly.

“The partners would have to get things rolling or we have another partner on board,” said Mr Bett.

The minister’s position, however, posed a dilemma in that either way the government risked suffering the wrath of financiers or paying hefty penalties to the company.

Though indirectly, Mr Zutt seemed to prod the government to drop Strabag from the deal even though some sources at the Roads ministry said the State could still opt to scout for a new financier for the project.

[email protected]

 

[ernestombayo7]

According to the latest report,this project has collapsed until further notice.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Sh37bn... hitch /-/1056/1101230/-/s7ylo2z/-/index.html

though this report is more optimistic

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/...oject/-/539550/1101174/-/atk5toz/-/index.html

 

[Kenguy]

According to the latest report,this project has collapsed until further notice.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Sh37bn... hitch /-/1056/1101230/-/s7ylo2z/-/index.html

though this report is more optimistic

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/...oject/-/539550/1101174/-/atk5toz/-/index.html

This is the reason we have to build large banks that can finance our projects.

As for this one, its only a matter of time for it to be revived. The question is how long it will take for the Mombasa road-Uhuru Highway-Waiyaki way stretch to become gridlocked for the government to feel the heat and do something.

 

[Kenguy]

I guess this project isn't dead yet. Roads minister has stated they are looking for alternative financiers for this project. As usual, China may be the most likely candidate or maybe Kenyans themselves. They might have to drop the toll idea though. :cheers:

 

[Dhuks]

I guess this project isn't dead yet. Roads minister has stated they are looking for alternative financiers for this project. As usual, China may be the most likely candidate or maybe Kenyans themselves. They might have to drop the toll idea though. :cheers:

I think officially the project is dead though i heard they want to restructure it.

 

[Sakangu]

Consultants invited to bid for design of new overpass in city

Contractors have been invited to tender bids for the design of an overpass road in Nairobi after construction firm Strabag International’s contract was terminated.

Strabag’s Sh67 billion pay-for-use road, meant to ease traffic jams around Nairobi, was cancelled after the World Bank said it would only finance the project once the Austrian construction giant complied with social and environmental safeguards.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) is searching for engineers to design the road as it prepares to award tenders for the construction work.

This sets the stage for a scramble for the project with Chinese and Japanese contractors being front runners.

“The selected firm must have demonstrable international experience in design of multi-carriageway urban motorways,” the authority said Wednesday, setting a September 17 deadline for submission of bids.

The planned overpass will run from Nairobi’s Likoni Road and Southern bypass junction and proceed along Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, Chiromo Road, and Waiyaki Way before joining James Gichuru Road to the west of the capital. The overpass is critical to unlocking benefits of the 12-lane Thika Highway that is expected to be completed and commissioned early next year.

Roads minister Franklin Bett said the planned road would have at least four inter-changes at strategic points such as Museum Hill round-about on Uhuru Highway, Westlands, and the area around City Cabanas restaurant on Mombasa Road.

“We intend to have a longer over-pass than earlier planned so that traffic that isn’t meant for the city centre is handed exclusive passage… we are looking at an extra seven to 15 kilometres of overpass road,” Mr Bett told the Business Daily.

He said the toll road concept would be dropped in the new design owing to lack of land for construction of ticketing booths.

“Unless a private investor comes up with a convincing proposal complete with sufficient land for the erection of ticket booths, the toll concept remains out of question,” he said.

“Currently, there is no land left along the planned construction corridor and the idea of a toll concept would not be viable.”
The fate of the overpass project has remained in limbo since early this year after the government pulled out of a public-private partnership that would have seen the road built on a toll concept.

Strabag had been eyeing a deal to implement the project but parted ways with the government even before signing a job contract.

Environmental safeguards

The fallout followed a condition by the World Bank that it would only finance the project once Strabag complied with its social and environmental safeguards, including land acquisition and Kenyan legal provisions.

According to the shelved blueprint the project, dubbed Nairobi Toll Road, would have entailed paving a 77-kilometre overpass between the Athi River Junction on Mombasa Road and Kikuyu on the Naivasha Highway on a concession arrangement.

Mr Bett said though Strabag missed an opportunity to build the toll road, it was welcome to bid for the new job.


http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/Consultants+invited+to+bid+for+design+of+new+overpass+in+city/-/539550/1220718/-/item/1/-/72tpboz/-/index.html

Seems they are reviving the project:banana::banana:

 

[ernestombayo7]

El Brilliante!!!!! (if that phrase exists in spanish).

Great news but there seems to be some vagueness in the article published.

1. Are they using Overpass to mean an elevated highway?I know its going to be an overpass from Likoni Road Crossing over Mombasa road.But from henceforth all the way to Waiyaka way,it is an elevated highway,not an overpass anymore.Though technically since it will be "overpassing" several roads and roundabouts and junctions to avoid traffic,maybe thats what they mean.

2.They talk of an interchange at City Cabanas.Likoni road is nowhere near City Cabanas.Likoni Road meets mombasa road near the Bharti Celtel headquarters.Therefore if there is going to be an interchange,its going to be at this juncture.

And why would they invite Strabag to tender for this project again and set the stage for another possible denial of funding from IMF?They should totally ignore strabag and stick to chinese or japanese constructors.Personally i'm hoping the Chinese are awarded.And the project could be done in 2 or 3 years.

So far no details on the KENHA website,but eagerly awaiting the tender document once the designs are complete.

 

[Dhuks]

And why would they invite Strabag to tender for this project again and set the stage for another possible denial of funding from IMF?They should totally ignore strabag and stick to chinese or japanese constructors.Personally i'm hoping the Chinese are awarded.And the project could be done in 2 or 3 years.

So far no details on the KENHA website,but eagerly awaiting the tender document once the designs are complete.

Strabag is one of the most reputable companies you can get. In choosing contractors should we all play to the whims of world bank?Remember if they were the financers of thika road China wuyi would never touch their money and yet we can attest to the quality of work that China wuyi have. In my opinion they should not even be considered in financing coz they may yet derail it again.

 

[Kenguy]

I knew this project wouldn't be dead for long. :banana:

Brace yourselves for spaghetti junctions especially at the Museum hill and city Cabanas where the highway passes over the new Museum hill interchange and the planned Eastern By-pass interchange on Mombasa road.

Imagine cruising on this thing on a sunny Sunday afternoon. :cheers:

 

[ernestombayo7]

Strabag is one of the most reputable companies you can get. In choosing contractors should we all play to the whims of world bank?Remember if they were the financers of thika road China wuyi would never touch their money and yet we can attest to the quality of work that China wuyi have. In my opinion they should not even be considered in financing coz they may yet derail it again.

The article does not indicate who will be financing this project,but its more than likely that its the world bank/IMF.getting new financiers on board is not an easy job and this will delay the project.IMF already committed to financing this project before.We have no choice but to play to the "whims" of the IMF if this project is to kick off soon.

 

[JARIBU]

It states that the World Bank's reservations is the reason Strabag's contract was cancelled, meaning the World Bank would be financing it - or at least it's going to the major financier.

The article does not indicate who will be financing this project,but its more than likely that its the world bank/IMF.getting new financiers on board is not an easy job and this will delay the project.IMF already committed to financing this project before.We have no choice but to play to the "whims" of the IMF if this project is to kick off soon.

 

[JARIBU]

The language can be confusing to those who live in the US. To us, an overpass is limited in scope, while an elevated highway would be what the article seems to be envisioning. At first glance I was wondering why an 'overpass' would be this costly only to realize that they were talking of an elevated highway. This is what should have been considered in the first place instead of the fiasco of trying to forcibly (through emminent domain) evict well established businesses along the affected route.

El Brilliante!!!!! (if that phrase exists in spanish).

Great news but there seems to be some vagueness in the article published.

1. Are they using Overpass to mean an elevated highway?I know its going to be an overpass from Likoni Road Crossing over Mombasa road.But from henceforth all the way to Waiyaka way,it is an elevated highway,not an overpass anymore.Though technically since it will be "overpassing" several roads and roundabouts and junctions to avoid traffic,maybe thats what they mean.

2.They talk of an interchange at City Cabanas.Likoni road is nowhere near City Cabanas.Likoni Road meets mombasa road near the Bharti Celtel headquarters.Therefore if there is going to be an interchange,its going to be at this juncture.

And why would they invite Strabag to tender for this project again and set the stage for another possible denial of funding from IMF?They should totally ignore strabag and stick to chinese or japanese constructors.Personally i'm hoping the Chinese are awarded.And the project could be done in 2 or 3 years.

So far no details on the KENHA website,but eagerly awaiting the tender document once the designs are complete.