Govt secures Sh45 billion for upgrade of Lodwar-Nadapal Road

The Government of Kenya has secured a credit line of Sh45 billion (USD 500 million) from the World Bank for the upgrading of Lodwar –Nadapal Road.

Consequently, the Kenya National Highways Authority, (KeNHA) has called bids for the upgrading of the road as per the terms of the credit negotiated and secured by the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.

The project is part of the Lesseru - Nadapal road whose signing was done in July 2015.

The Multinational project is under Eastern Africa Regional Transport, Trade and Development Facilitation Project and consists of Three Lots; Lodwar Lokitung junction road, lot 2 Lokitung junction Kalobeyei river road, and Lot 3 Kalobeyei river Nadapal road.

The works which are located in Turkana County are expected to be completed in 36 months from the commencement of the project.

They include reconstruction of road pavements to attain a 7m carriageway width with 2m shoulders on each side, construction of bridges, culverts and other drainage infrastructure.

Kainuk bridge upgrading and other approach roads will also be undertaken in a bid to reduce journey time to Southern Sudan.

Works will see the construction of a reinforced concrete bridge of 80m total length comprising five spans with reinforced concrete piers and abutments founded on bored piles, construction of approach roads of about 3km in total comprising 7m carriageway and finally construction of service roads serving Kainuk Town.

The road linking Kenya and South Sudan is critical as the road has been identified as an important catalyst for integration of South Sudan into the Kenyan economy and as an important link in the International road connection between Kenya and her neighbors.

The roads Agency has, recently focused more broadly in development of its main regional highway network, connecting with all neighboring countries and at the same time improving the accessibility of the underdeveloped areas of Kenya served by these unheralded main arteries.

Upgrading of the East Africa Regional Transport, Trade and Development Facilitation Project (EARTTDFP) well known as the South Sudan Link Development Corridor, will transform lives and improve the movement of goods and people along Lokichar-Nadapal/Nakodok part of the Eldoret-Nadapal/Nakodok road in the north western part of Kenya in particular and to enhance connectivity between Kenya and her neighboring countries.