The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced significant progress on the Nithi Bridge realignment project, with the design phase now entering its final stages.
Over the weekend, KeNHA Director General Eng. Luka Kimeli conducted an on-site inspection of the proposed bridge alignment. This visit was a precursor to granting the contractor early access to commence works.
Addressing a Dangerous Road Section
The Nithi Bridge, located on the busy Meru-Nairobi highway at the border of Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties, currently features a steep descent and sharp bends. These design flaws have contributed to numerous fatal accidents involving buses, trucks, and private vehicles over the years.
Instead of opting for repairs, the current administration under President William Ruto has chosen to completely redesign and realign the bridge to eliminate these hazards.
Project Scale and Impact
- The new bridge will span approximately 880 metres and rise about 100 metres above the Nithi River valley floor.
- Approach roads covering roughly 2.77 kilometres will also be reconstructed to improve traffic flow.
- This makes the Nithi Bridge one of the largest bridge infrastructure projects in Kenya.
KeNHA has emphasized that the realignment will significantly reduce accident risks at this notorious crossing and enhance mobility along the corridor.
The authority reiterated its commitment to delivering infrastructure that safeguards lives and supports Kenya’s socio-economic growth.
