KR bridge good news for businesses
Businesses at Industrial Area could experience a traffic reprieve if a planned bridge linking the city centre is constructed.
Kenya Railways Corporation intends to build the bridge to be operated on a toll basis, replacing the current footbridge on Workshops Road.
The bridge will cross over the railway tracks, offering motorists an alternative route to the busy Landhies and Mombasa Roads. The current footbridge, made of a metallic frame and wooden planks crosses over 20 railway tracks, making the new project an engineering feat.
The consulting engineer firm for the project is Ochieng Abuodha and Associates.
“The project is still at the feasibility study stage,” said KR head of corporate affairs Margaret Kawira.
Residents of outlying estates like South B, Nairobi West, and South C will benefit if the project comes to fruition as it will provide a faster connection to and from the CBD.
Pedestrians will continue using the bridge for free.
Details on the cost, financing and expected toll fees per user were unavailable but KR management indicated that they will be out soon.
The bridge is one of the projects lined up by KR to diversify its revenue streams. Rising costs exacerbated by huge loans have made KR look for money elsewhere.
Factories and warehouses dominate the Industrial Area and the road will be good news as it will provide a quick link to the commercial centre.
The use of toll levying system on Kenyan roads is yet to pick up.