Sh3.6 billion Ngong Road overpass project now 90 per cent complete

The Sh3.6 billion Ngong Road overpass project in Nairobi/HANDOUT

The Sh3.6 billion Ngong Road overpass project in Nairobi has reached 90 per cent completion, marking a milestone in one of the city’s most critical traffic infrastructure developments.

Project officials say the overpass is on course to be handed over in June 2026, raising optimism that long-standing congestion along the busy corridor will soon be significantly reduced.

Providing the latest status update, Project Director Pablo Acosta said the project is set to open a new chapter for motorists and commuters who have for years endured severe traffic jams along Ngong Road.

He expressed confidence that the overpass will play a key role in easing congestion in Nairobi’s south-western areas, where traffic delays have resulted in lost man-hours, late arrivals for workers, disrupted service delivery and reduced productivity.

Acosta noted that traffic congestion on Ngong Road has become a heavy burden for motorists, public transport operators and pedestrians alike.

To minimise disruption during construction, he said major works have been shifted to night hours.

“We work during the night to try to minimise the traffic impact,” Acosta said, explaining that the nature of the works requires the use of heavy equipment to lift large building materials.

According to the project director, this process has necessitated the temporary closure of sections of the road.

“In order to do that we need to close one side, we are closing the south side and we are opening the north side,” he said.

Acosta said he was satisfied with the pace of the works, noting that significant milestones have already been achieved.

“As per the moment the progress is going very well, we have completed the steel structure erection. We completed this job at night in order to minimize the traffic impact for motor vehicles,” he stated.

The Ngong Road project includes a modern viaduct designed as a dual carriageway, aimed at improving traffic flow through one of Nairobi’s busiest routes. In addition to serving motorists, the overpass has been designed with Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) users in mind.

Pablo Acosta, Project Director, Ngong Road overpass project/HANDOUT

Facilities include dedicated pedestrian walkways, bicycle tracks, as well as landscaping and beautification elements to enhance the overall urban environment.

“I believe it will ease up the traffic in this area. There is big congestion of traffic, especially during rush hours, especially in the morning and in the evening,” Acosta said.

The overpass is part of the Kenyan government’s broader efforts to strengthen urban infrastructure, a key pillar in stimulating long-term economic growth and improving mobility within major cities.

According to a report by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), which is supervising the project, the overpass will deliver far-reaching benefits once completed.

“Most notably, it will dramatically reduce traffic congestion, especially at key intersections, saving time for motorists, public transport passengers, and pedestrians,” the report states.

KURA Director of Urban Roads Planning and Design Wilfred Oginga echoed these sentiments, saying the project is poised to completely transform transportation in Nairobi.

He pointed out that motorists previously took more than two hours to travel from Ngong Town to Nairobi, a distance of about 26.5 kilometres, largely due to gridlock along the corridor.