Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), on Saturday, February 11, notified motorists and Nairobi residents of the planned closure of Haille Selassie Avenue leading out of the Central Business District (CBD).
The road agency explained that Haille Selassie Avenue would be closed from Saturday, February 18, at midnight to Sunday, February 19, at midnight.
On Saturday, February 25, at midnight to Sunday, February 26, at midnight, the same exercise would be repeated along the same Haille Selassie Avenue.
Explaining the reason for closing the busy highway, KURA noted that engineers would be working to strengthen the footbridge connecting the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to the Kenya City Square Post Office.
“Motorists and Members of the public are urged to use alternative routes like Uhuru Highway, Moi Avenue and Kenyatta Avenue on both days,” KURA advised.
“We regret any inconveniences caused and urge members of the public to cooperate as we strive to enhance urban mobility,” the road agency added.
Haille Selassie Avenue serves motorists from different routes, including those using Mombasa Road and Ngong Road.
The defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services closed the footbridge in January 2021 after a trailer crashed into it. Initial plans indicated the bridge would be replaced.
However, residents raised concerns over the extended closure of the bridge, which had exposed them to the danger of crossing the road at undesignated points along the busy Haille Selassie Avenue.
While appealing to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to intervene, residents lamented that the zebra crossing was not really helping them.
“I am often forced to walk to the roundabout since most vehicles are speeding. This is why we need the footbridge,” one resident lamented.
Before it was closed, the footbridge was serving students from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Posta employees and other residents accessing the city from Kenya Railways, Landhies Road and South B.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE