Garsen–Witu–Lamu Highway

Garsen–Witu–Lamu Highway is a road, under construction in Kenya, connecting the towns of Garsen, Witu and Lamu.[1]

Garsen–Witu–Lamu Highway
Route information
Length84 mi (135 km)
HistoryDesignated in 2016
Completion in 2021 (Expected)
Major junctions
West endGarsen
 Witu
East endLamu
Highway system
Roads in Kenya

Location

The road starts at Garsen, in Tana River County, pursuing a general easterly direction through Witu to end at Mokowe in Lamu County, where the ferry connects to Lamu Island, a total distance of about 122 kilometres (76 mi).[2] However the construction contract gives the distance as 135 kilometres (84 mi).[1]

Overview

This road, is an important trade corridor for traffic headed from Nairobi, South Sudan and Ethiopia, to the proposed Port Lamu and is a component of the Lamu-Moyale Highway, part of LAPSSET.[3][4][5][6]

Upgrade and funding

The government of Kenya, using locally sourced funds, plans to upgrade the entire road to class II bitumen surface with shoulders, culverts and drainage channels. Kenya National Highway Authority is handling the hiring of a qualified, competent contractor to carry on the work.[4][5]

H-Young Company was selected to improve the surface to grade II bitumen standard, widen the road to 7 metres (23 ft) across, with culverts, drainage channels and side paths at a cost of KSh10.8 billion (US$108 million). As of December 2018, construction works were approximately 20 percent complete, with a completion date of December 2019.[1]

In December 2020 The EastAfrican newspaper reported construction progress at 75 percent, with commissioning expected in October 2021.[7]

See also

References
  1. Kazungu, Kalume (4 December 2018). "The hopes riding on Lamu-Garsen road". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  2. Globefeed.com (10 April 2016). "Distance between Garsen, Tana River, Kenya and Kikoni Landing Site, C112, Lamu, Kenya". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  3. Bocha, Galgalo (15 March 2012). "Surveyors map out Lamu to Ethiopia transport project". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  4. Mwakio (2 February 2016). "Construction of Garsen-Lamu highway to start this year". The Standard (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  5. CRO (2 February 2016). "Construction of major highway at Kenya's Coast to begin". Constructiuon Review Online (CRO). Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  6. Omondi, George (20 May 2014). "AfDB taps firm to kick-start delayed Lamu, Ethiopia road". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  7. Anthony Kitimo (14 December 2020). "PM Abiy, Kenyatta commit to increased trade". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 14 December 2020.

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