The Eastern Bypass will be completed in January 2023, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority has said.
This was revealed in a statement on the status of the road that was sent to Roads CS Kipchumba Murkomen on Monday.
“The project is still ongoing and the contractor is expected to complete the works in January 2023,” reads the statement.
Kura director general Silas Kinoti said some of the pending works before the completion of the project include; surface dressing, completion of road marking, and street lighting.
Others are access culverts, footbridges, improvement of access roads and junctions, bus bays in designated areas, and speed control measures that are still pending.
The 27.8 km road which was commissioned by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta before the August polls, has been in the spotlight for several accidents.
It was listed among the top six of Nairobi's most dangerous roads by the NTSA report released last month.
Last month, Kenyans caused an online uproar and flashed out black spots and red flags to look out for along the Eastern Bypass following a viral clip in which a drunk driver caused an accident on October 30.
In response, Kinoti said the agency was saddened by continued non-compliance to traffic rules and breach of public safety by some of the road users plying the Eastern Bypass.
He said they were risking the lives of other road users.
To curb accidents on the road, the speed limit has been limited to 40 Kph.
“Speed limit signs have been erected along the entire road alignment and other warning signs informing motorists of the ongoing construction,” Kinoti said.
According to the authority, failure to obey speed restrictions, drunk driving picking up and dropping off passengers at undesignated stops have been identified as the major contributors compromising road safety.
On July 31, Uhuru officially commissioned the Eastern Bypass which is the final ring road in Nairobi.
The road has been expanded from a single 2-lane road to a dual 4-lane carriageway.
The dualling of the bypass began in November 2020, after the signing of a contract between Kura and the China Communication Construction Company which will be completing the Sh12.5 billion project.
The project is expected to ease traffic along the busy Eastern Bypass, which serves the eastern side of Nairobi and diverts traffic from the city centre.
Dualling of the road was among 11 major infrastructure initiatives Kenya showcased to international investors during the Belt and Road forum in Beijing in May 2017.
The Eastern Bypass connects Mombasa Road to Thika Super Highway at Kamakis, traversing through Embakasi, Utawala, Ruai and Ruiru towns.
It has been expanded as part of sustained government efforts to decongest Nairobi.
Kura has now called on motorists using the road to ensure total compliance with traffic rules and road signs to avoid accidents and for the safety of all other road users.
Kinoti said strict enforcement has been imposed to deal with anyone who violates the traffic rules and enhanced road safety awareness is to be conducted.
He said the authority will continue to call on all motorists and other users plying along the Eastern Bypass to strictly adhere to traffic rules and exercise great caution to avert further compromises to road safety.
“We seek your cooperation as we endeavour to provide Enhanced Urban Mobility,” Kinoti said.