In a statement released on Monday, April 18, KeNHA stated that the contractor was yet to complete the drainage system as they work round the clock ahead of the commissioning of the 27-kilometer road by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
It was revealed that more workers had been deployed to redirect water from the hanging water pipes even as the city continues to experience moderate rains.
Areas that were most affected by the Monday flooding included parts of Mombasa road and Uhuru Highway.
“The contractor is working to ensure that the drainage, among other features of the Nairobi Expressway, is finalized and fixed in a safe manner for all motorists.
“In the meantime, the contractor has deployed extra work teams and equipment to focus on all outstanding works including the drainage system – targeting completion before the rains result in peak flows,” read the statement in part.
Concerning the water pipes hanging dangerously on the Expressway, KeNHA explained that the drainage system was designed to run under the highway before being channeled to the downstream drainage.
“All the water harvested on the Expressway will be properly channeled to designated drainage lines. As per the design, flood water will be channeled through trimmed downpipes, gutted downwards along with the pier caps, and finally to U-drains below the soffit of the viaduct,” read the statement part.
Additionally, motorists were advised to take precautions as they drive under the elevated section during the rainy season.
Speaking to kenyagist.com earlier, after Kenyans raised concerns about overhanging water pipes the Moja expressway management noted that the drainage, especially along Mombasa road would be corrected before the rains.
Motorists using the busy road are now calling on the contractor to speed the construction works even as they lamented over the laxity to address incomplete sections of the highway.
“KeNHA has taken the oversight of the contractor too lightly, What is being meted out to road users for example the handling of stormwater is shameful. Just drive the lower Mombasa road and see the numerous obstacles that cars hit every night,” Peter Keiru, a Twitter user replied.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM
