Roads PS was on Citizen last night and he mentioned that he would be concluding the financing deal for the 15km Uhuru highway overpass today...

Good progress, but this guy makes some interesting case AGAINST the project... RINK: http://architecturekenya...y-recast-by-eric-kigada/

After reading the article i think the architect is stuck in the past. But i agree with him our mode of transportation has to change

His argument is that if we remove the roundabouts, we are likely to make things worse than they already are.

Secondly, he is wondering the point of building the overpass while the by-passes are expected to do exactly the same function, i.e., remove transit traffic from the city centre.

What we need is a rail system.

At the moment, anybody going to/from the airport uses a cab, via msa road (unless coming from eastlands). If we have a working rail system, we minimize the need for road transport while travelling to airport.

I would rather we spend that money on creating a good rail system, At the moment, we are not spending any money on what we really need.

Roundabouts take more time to get around than it would in a T junction. The speed and ease at which the car negotiates a roundabout is lower than a T junction. Take Uhuru Highway/Kenyatta Avenue roundabout. If you had cross junction, and you open both sides of Uhuru Highway for the straight moving traffic, compare that to the current situation. Where as in a cross junction traffic will flow straight and smoothly, with the roundabout, you have to negotiate a mini-round before proceeding straight.

The by-passes are taking all that traffic that would otherwise, not be passing thru' the CBD. Does that solve the traffic issues of the guy who lives in Embakasi and works from Kabete.

All the roads/by-passes/over-passes are needed.

World Bank has finally produced the bucks, now waiting for the Chinese (who else) to be given the contract & start in January.

http://bit.ly/OM2qym

Though a bit concerned about the encroachment issues in Nairobi e.g. Eastern Bypass flyover at Cabanas hasn't moved in ages, while Southern Bypass should have been started from Mombasa Road. Of course Japanese aren't really impressing in Kileleshwa...

I agree.
We should also promote safe cycling in Nairobi and other Kenyan towns? A bike is affordable, promotes physical exercise and thus health, cheap to maintain and saves time - no waiting for public transport or in jams, and reduces your carbon footprint.
Think of all the guys who walk from Kangemi to Parklands, Kibera to Inda etc. With the upgrade of the roads infrastructure in Nairobi, it is unfortunate that no safe cycle lanes are being put in place. By safe I imply particularly the roads and Highways crossing points for the would be cyclists.
Urban transport infrastructure should cater for all levels (pedestrian, cyclist, car and tram/train) and see their safe moving from point A to B. Putting to much emphasis to one of these is a planning mistake.

I agree

@ Eco, I agree with you. Most of the issues we have on our roads have to do with how we drive. If only Kenyans adhered to traffic rules, we would not be experiencing some of the nightmares we have to go through on our roads.