Road construction to ease traffic to railway station

An access road to Miritini Railway Station will be completed in seven days, Infrastructure Principal Secretary John Mosonik said on Saturday.

The 1.5-kilometre road from Miritini Shopping Centre to the station is expected to ease movement of traffic to the station.

“Construction of the road will cost Sh96 million and it is 85 per cent done. We have been experiencing challenges, ranging from traffic flow management to transferring utilities like water and electricity but the contractor has done this,” he said when inspecting works on the road.

PASSENGERS INCREASE
During the launch of standard gauge railway train services on May 31, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the construction of the road.

The PS said there were plans to build a bus park near the railway station.

Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanas Maina said since the launch of the services, there has been a surge in passenger numbers.

“The numbers demonstrate the vital role Kenya Railways plays in the nation’s transport system,” Mr Maina said.

ROAD TARMACKING
Kenya Railways is also expected to introduce trains that would stop at the seven stations of Mariakani, Miaseni, Voi, Mtito Andei, Kibwezi, Emali and Athi River.

Meanwhile, Mr Mosonik inspected the upgrading to bitumen standards of the Lunga Lunga-Vanga road.

Three kilometres of the road will be tarmacked in the coming six months.

“I will do everything within my powers to see to it that the road is completed within the given timelines,” Mr Mosonik said.

QUALITY WORK
Construction began just days after the President and his deputy William Ruto launched the project during their tour of Kwale weeks ago.

PS Mosonik said he would terminate the contract of the company building the road if work is below standard.

He said the government would award a tender for the construction of the next 68 kilometres of the road in two weeks.

Additional reporting by Fadhili Fredrick