The construction of 16.7-kilometre Western bypass has officially kicked off.
The project is estimated to cost taxpayers a whooping Sh37 billion.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is supervising the implementing of the project, which is being undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation.
KeNHA Director General Peter Mundinia said the road construction was financed by the Exim Bank of China and would run for 39 months.
“The road project starts from Gitaru and terminates at Ruaka on the Northern bypass in Kiambu County,” Eng Mundinia said.
Although the design of the road and works started three years ago, the contractor only got to the site this month after the financing deal was signed. President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to commission the project soon.
The bypass has been identified as a link necessary for the completion of a system of ring roads around Nairobi to divert traffic away from the central business district.
The road, which will feature the construction of a two-lane dual carriageway, will link the Southern bypass at Gitaru to the Northern bypass in Ruaka.
Other features will include 17.4km of service lanes, seven interchanges at the major junctions of Wangige, Kihara, Ndenderu, Ruminyi, Kabete, Banana and Ruaka; five underpasses and three foot bridges.
The contract also entails building a bus park at Wangige, 10km of walkways and footpaths, 11 box culverts for storm water drainage and street lighting with 16 high masts.