Nairobi motorists battling the chronic traffic jams along Ngong Road can expect smoother rides in the near future, thanks to the rapid progress of the Junction Mall viaduct and road expansion project in Dagoretti.
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), in collaboration with the Spanish government, is spearheading the Ksh 3.8 billion project aimed at easing congestion at the busy Ngong Road–Naivasha Road intersection. The centrepiece is an 820-metre dual carriageway flyover, with two lanes in each direction, designed to separate through traffic from local traffic for uninterrupted flow.
“This elevated road, or viaduct, allows one road to run above another at ground level, eliminating traffic conflicts,” explained Eng. Wilfred Oginga, KURA’s Director of Urban Roads Planning and Design. “By preventing interaction between crossing and through traffic, we will cut travel times and improve safety.”
The project’s design also considers the upcoming 60,000-seater Talanta Stadium, a key government legacy project. Planners have been given a seven-minute evacuation target once events end, making swift dispersal of spectators a priority. Direct links to the Southern Bypass will enable fans, athletes, and international visitors to travel from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the stadium without navigating the city’s notorious gridlocks.
Beyond easing vehicle movement, the project integrates circulating ground-level lanes, pedestrian walkways, and cycling tracks to promote Non-Motorized Transport (NMT). “We want to assure pedestrians and cyclists that you are well covered,” Eng. Oginga noted. “The old thinking that roads are just for vehicles has changed.”
When complete, the viaduct will slash the current two-hour commute between Ngong Town and Nairobi to less than 25 minutes. The reduced travel time is expected to spur economic growth along the corridor, unlocking new business and real estate opportunities.
Construction is slated to take 36 months, during which the public has been urged to bear with temporary disruptions. Once finished, the Junction Mall flyover is set to transform one of Nairobi’s busiest corridors into a safer, faster, and more efficient route for all road users.
