State to spend Sh800m on weighbridges
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Michael Kamau (right) meets senior officers from the ministry. Photo/FILE
The government will spend more than Sh800 million to set up modern weighbridges to improve efficiency along the Northern Corridor.
Transport cabinet secretary Michael Kamau said the funds will be used to set up high speed weigh-in-motion bridges especially at Mariakani and Namanga where there has been persistent snarl-ups near the facilities.
He said the funds will be divided between the two stations and the new machines set up in the next two months.
“They will operate at a speed up to a maximum of 80km per hour compared to the current one which weighs at 20km per hour. The machine will do the weighing without necessarily the trucks stopping at the facility,” said the cabinet secretary.
Special lane
Speaking at Mariakani weighbridge, Mr Kamau said the new facilities will be set up on a special lane within the highway and not necessarily at the current position.
“The trucks will not have to be diverted to the weighbridges since special lanes in Mariakani and Namanga will be built where the machines will be fitted,” Kamau said.
Albert Stockell, the country managing director of SGS, a company contracted to oversee operations of the eight weighbridges, said the Mariakani new facilities will be ready by end of July.
“We are ready to install the new automated facility which will ensure no truck stops at the bridges. This will ensure efficiency while traffic jams will be a thing of the past,” said the MD.
During the visit by Mr Kamau, several truck drivers were exempted from penalty of overloading per axle but were asked to redistribute their cargo.
Secretary’s directive
“I am shocked to find out protest by the truck drivers were genuine since the operators at the site failed to allow the drivers to redistribute their cargo if it does not exceed Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW),” Kamau said.
He ordered Kenya Transporters Association and Kenya Port Authority to seek a lasting solution to congestion along the corridor.
“I have asked KPA and other stakeholders to ensure trucks operate every hour at the port as opposed to the current situation where trucks load from 3pm. There is a lot of bureaucracy in the Port which needs to be reduced to attract more business,” said Mr Kamau.
